Congress Bharat Summit Hyderabad: 1,000 Delegates From 70 Countries

The Congress will host its Bharat Summit in Hyderabad this week, bringing about 1,000 policymakers, think-tank experts and activists from 70 countries together till 14 November. Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, is scheduled to address the event along with Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Bhongir MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy told reporters on Tuesday, 10 November. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is also expected to attend, according to reports in The Hans India and Telangana Today.

12 Global Sessions, 8 on Telangana

Salman Khurshid, who heads the party’s Foreign Affairs Department, said the summit will have 12 international sessions and eight on Telangana. The global sessions cover the emerging world order, India’s foreign policy, cooperative federalism, climate change, the role of media and information integrity. The Telangana sessions take up the future city and urbanisation, economic and social justice, welfare policies, culture, youth and sports, and electoral integrity.

“The intention is to reflect the vision of Rahul Gandhi for India and the world of tomorrow,” Khurshid said, according to Telangana Today. The party plans to launch a think tank called “Our World”, issue a joint statement and set up a Global South-Global North platform.

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Second Bharat Summit in Hyderabad

This is the second time the Congress is holding the summit in the city. Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy called it “a matter of immense pride for Telangana” and said it should help raise Hyderabad’s global profile and attract investment and tourism. Reports differ slightly on the opening day: The Hans India gives 12 to 14 November, while Telangana Today says 13 to 14 November. Neither names a venue.

The agenda on electoral integrity follows the INDIA bloc’s campaign against the Special Intensive Revision of voter lists and the Election Commission. IPB News has reported the INDIA bloc’s mock Parliament on the charges against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, and Kharge’s recent row with the BJP is covered here. More Congress stories are collected under the Congress tag.

Joint Statement Expected at the Close

The summit ends on 14 November, which is also Jawaharlal Nehru’s 137th birth anniversary. The party has not yet released the full speaker list or the text of the joint statement.

Source: Based on reporting by The Hans India and Telangana Today.

Image: Telangana Today.