Advancing South India’s Global Agenda
Gallery
Deccan Centre for International Relations Inaugurated in Chennai
Deccan Centre for International Relations
Inaugurated in Chennai
The Deccan Centre for International Relations (Deccan Centre), an independent think tank under the Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR), was formally inaugurated today 30th January 2026, at the Pullman Chennai Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai.
The launch event marked a significant milestone in giving focused attention to the global role and priorities of South India — encompassing the five states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana, along with the Union Territories of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry. It will focus on three main verticals including geopolitics, technology and business as well as issues such as diaspora, environment etc.
The Deccan Centre will highlight South India’s distinctive strengths in geopolitics as well as in digital and emerging technologies, trade and investment, maritime security, environment, diaspora, public policy, innovation and more. It aims to strengthen engagement with the Global South and foster deeper mutual understanding with international partners within the broader framework of India’s foreign policy. This is in keeping with Government of India’s desire to take foreign policy and global engagement to the States.
The Inaugural Address was delivered by Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology and Digital Services, Government of Tamil Nadu. He welcomed the initiative for setting up the centre in Chennai. Apart from close links between South India and the world over centuries, he underscored how Tamil Nadu has solidified its position as India’s leading exporter of electronics, driven by a massive surge in manufacturing—particularly in smartphones and components. He further noted that Tamil Nadu’s electronics exports have surged by nearly 700% in the recent past after covid. The Minister also highlighted how think tanks like the Deccan Centre can complement and supplement the efforts of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
The Keynote Address was delivered by Amb. Dr. Mohan Kumar, IFS (Retd.), Dean/Professor at O.P. Jindal Global University and Director General of the Motwani Jadeja Institute for American Studies. He elaborated on the current geopolitical scenario and underlined how the state of geopolitics was "on steroids." He also discussed the strategic importance of the recent India-EU Free Trade Agreement and touched on the prevailing US-China tensions under Trump 2.0, including how the US is maintaining strategic ambiguity in its ties with China. The underscored the sober and firm response of India to challenges, including imposition of tariffs.
In his Special Address, HE Edgar Pang Tze Chiang, Consul General of Singapore, Chennai highlighted the close bilateral ties between India and Singapore, especially with South India and Tamil Nadu, in a variety of areas. Apart from the various collaborative projects being taken up currently by Singapore in South India, he also dwelt on the potential and opportunities for enhanced collaboration between South India and Singapore, particularly in technology, trade and investment and maritime domains.
Shri. T.S. Tirumurti, IFS (Retd.), Former Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, New York and Chair of the Steering Committee, Deccan Centre, outlined the Deccan Centre’s vision and forthcoming initiatives. He emphasised the need for a more granular focus on South India’s international engagement.
Shri. Kapil Viswanathan, President of IFMR and Governing Council Member, KREA University, spoke on the various initiatives of IFMR through KREA University and eight other IFMR centres and emphasized IFMR’s commitment to pragmatic and policy-oriented action through this new centre.
The inauguration drew a wide cross-section of participants including diplomats, policymakers, academics, industry leaders and media representatives.
Headquartered in Chennai, Deccan Centre is India’s first think tank exclusively dedicated to the international relations of South India. Operating under IFMR — a premier institution established in the 1970s — the Centre will undertake policy dialogues, podcasts, publications, research and collaborative projects to build bridges between South Indian stakeholders and the global community.
This successful launch sets the stage for Deccan Centre to contribute meaningfully to India’s evolving foreign policy through the lens of South India’s dynamic capabilities and aspirations.
30th January 2026
Chennai
***
Quick Links