“Bharat Summit 2025 to build Global Profile of India”, says former Union Minister Salman Khurshid

• Over 450 Foreign Delegates from 100 countries express their solidarity towards victims of Pahalgam
• Senior leader Salman Khurshid bats for tax incentives to boost women employment at Bharat Summit 2025 in Hyderabad*
• International Policymakers Unite to Advance Gender Justice at Bharat Summit 2025*
• Former Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde Calls for Tax Reforms and Universal Childcare, Highlights Bharat Summit’s Role in Defending Democratic Values*
• Misinformation Threatens Democracy: Global Leaders Call for Digital Literacy and Strong Cyber Laws at Bharat Summit 2025*
• Former Member of EU Parliament Miapetra Kumpula-Natri says “what is illegal offline must be illegal online” at Bharat Summit 2025*
• Digvijay Singh Slams Deepfake Menace at Bharat Summit: ‘Words I Never Said Were Attributed to Me’

National, April 25, 2025: The much-anticipated Bharat Summit in Hyderabad opened today with compelling sessions under the theme “Delivering Global Justice.” The dialogue brought together international political leaders, policymakers, and advocates committed to advancing gender equality, social justice, and inclusive governance.

Addressing a press conference, Senior leader and former Union Minister Shri Salman Khurshid said, “Bharat Summit is an initiative of the Telangana government. One key aspect is attracting investment from India and abroad so that the people of Telangana can benefit from development and growth. The idea is to build the global profile of Telangana, which in turn adds to the global stature of India. Data and analysis are essential to achieve our vision of social justice, and like-minded countries have shown great support. What we have here is a progressive alliance.”

Noting that progressive liberal values are cherished by the Congress party and the Telangana government, he added, “We hope this summit will become a regular feature in the years to come. We also hope that the global order embraces liberal and progressive thought.”

Shri Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana, also addressed the media, saying, “Many countries have participated in the Bharat Summit. Discussions have been held around youth empowerment, social justice, and the rise of Telangana. Through this summit, we are also promoting Telangana as an investment destination. The Telangana government’s welfare initiatives have been widely discussed. All the delegates have strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. We, along with the delegation, will hold a candle march at Tank Bund in solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam attack.”

Session Highlights:

1.Gender Justice and a Feminist Future

The session was attended by Ann Linde, Former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden; Rabia Abdallah, senior leader from Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party in Tanzania; Monica Fein, a Socialist Party politician in Argentina; Hamid Maysoon; Wael Alatoom; Maria Alejandra Panay, Minister for Women Affairs, Republic of Panama; and Undram Chinbat, a Member of Parliament from Mongolia along with Indian senior politicians Salman Khurshid and M M Pallam Raju.

Mr. M. M. Pallam Raju highlighted policy frameworks like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the Right to Education Act, and Telangana’s Mahalakshmi Scheme, which provides free bus travel for women. He emphasised the power of education and mobility in uplifting communities. Salman Khurshid, former Union Minister, advocated for tax incentives to boost women’s employment and questioned the lack of female participation in heavy industries, such as infrastructure development. “Women must be part of every sector. The answer is not just the right laws—but the right mindset—and the right men who stand for this cause,” he said.

Former Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde spoke about the challenges facing Europe, particularly the decline in birth rates and structural disincentives for working women. She called for reforms in taxation policies and emphasised the urgent need for universal access to childcare. “If families cannot combine work and parenting, gender equality will remain out of reach,” she said, adding that any backlash against feminism must be firmly countered.

She further noted that the Bharat Summit plays a critical role in uniting voices to uphold democratic values. “In most parliaments across the world, women are still underrepresented. There are persistent gender biases. In my country, Sweden, women enjoy equal rights, resources, and representation—but that’s not the case everywhere,” she remarked.

Linde called for feminism-based policies and structural reforms to ensure meaningful representation. “The UN has never had a woman Secretary-General. I hope that changes in the next election,” she added. She also acknowledged India’s leadership in gender representation, noting, “India has had more female leaders than Sweden. Gender equality also leads to reduced violence and more effective conflict resolution.”

Monica Fein, a senior leader of Argentina’s Socialist Party, argued for women’s leadership in social and political transformation. “We don’t just want to support men—we want to lead. Leadership and equality must include gender-diverse individuals and the systems that support them,” she said, stressing that real democracy lies in inclusive participation.

From Tanzania, Rabia Abdallah, a senior CCM party leader emphasised the value of cross-regional dialogue and the importance of embedding women’s leadership in political structures to ensure sustained global justice.

Undram Chinbat, a Member of Parliament from Mongolia, highlighted Mongolia’s dual focus on STEM education for girls and climate-resilient training for rural women impacted by desertification. She announced that the upcoming COP summit, to be hosted in Mongolia, will showcase new climate policies with gender equality at their core.

Maria Alejandra Panay, Minister for Women Affairs, Republic of Panama, highlighted the systemic inequalities that Latin American women continue to face. “One in three women experience sexual harassment. And many indigenous, migrant, and young women remain invisible in mainstream policymaking,” she said.

Indian legislator and advocate Praniti Shinde underscored the need for structural reform in how inclusivity is implemented, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community. Citing the Mythri Scheme in Telangana, which supports trans persons in law enforcement roles, she stated, “We need less talk and more action. Inclusion must be visible in employment, budgeting, and governance.”

2. Facts vs Fiction: Countering Disinformation

The session was attended by Thanisara Ruangdej, CEO & Co-founder, Punch Up and WeVis, Thailand; Miapetra Kumpula-Natri, former Member of the European Union Parliament; Matthew William Faulding, Labour Party, UK; Ramkarpal Singh, Member of the House of Representatives, Malaysia; Dr. Malu Ravi, Member of Parliament; Luis Blandon; and senior Indian National Congress leader Digvijaya Singh.

Senior INC leader Digvijaya Singh talked about the erosion of democratic values due to unchecked disinformation. “The timing of Bharat Summit is crucial. Today, tech companies control global narratives and encroach upon citizens’ rights. I’ve been a personal victim of deepfakes and fake news. Words I never said were attributed to me. Hatred is being amplified at the click of a button,” he said.

Thanisara Ruangdej highlighted the information overload in the digital age and the deliberate weaponisation of fake content by political and geopolitical actors. She emphasised the importance of data analysis and fact-checking to combat such content. Meanwhile, Miapetra Kumpula-Natri stressed that “what is illegal offline must be illegal online,” outlining the EU’s policies on digital literacy, media regulation, and public education. She urged young citizens to critically assess where and how their information is sourced.

Matthew William Faulding shared the UK’s experience with AI-generated videos and viral misinformation, noting the real-world impact and emotional harm it can cause. “Lies travel faster, and fake news can ruin lives,” he warned.

Ramkarpal Singh announced Malaysia’s plans to introduce tighter licensing laws and establish a media council. “We support strong legal frameworks that do not curb free speech but make stakeholders accountable,” he said.

Dr. Malu Ravi, Member of Indian Parliament, underlined the urgent need for digital literacy in schools. “Just as cigarettes carry a health warning, unverified content should come with disclaimers. Disinformation spreads hate and divides society—we must act before it is too late,” she urged.

3. Youth & Politics of Tomorrow

The session was attended by Uday Bhanu Chib; Varun Choudhary; Arena Williams, a young woman MP from New Zealand; Liinesh Selluandan; Marina Hay; James Steve Serrano; Jesus Tapia.

Young leaders from various countries convened to discuss the role of youth in shaping the future of politics. Liinesh Selluandan emphasized that politics is a service, not a job, and that the youth are not just changemakers but the foundation for a better future. Marina Hay highlighted the importance of involving young people in political institutions, stating that opportunities must be created within current systems to bring about change. Both leaders stressed the need for education systems to teach students about their potential to bring positive change through politics.​

4. Shaping New Multilateralism

The session was attended by Maria Joao Rodrigues, Dan Herman, Sayo Suruta, Josh Osih and Bert Koenders.

In a session focused on reforming global institutions, Maria Joao Rodrigues criticized the current multilateral system as ineffective and unfair, advocating for a more inclusive approach that reflects the realities of today’s world. Josh Osih called for decentralizing multilateralism, suggesting that local governments and communities should have a more significant role in global decision-making. Sayo Suruta emphasized the importance of human rights in maintaining international order, while Dan Herman discussed the need for a balanced global power structure that does not allow any one nation to dominate.