Jaipur, Rajasthan, October 8, 2024 – Heeding the words of our External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar. CUTS International, a leading global public policy research and advocacy group, today inaugurated the formation of its Global Affairs Jaipur’s Brains Trust.
“The formation of the Global Affairs Brain Trust is a crucial step in expanding the dialogue on international affairs and public policy in Rajasthan, and by bringing together such distinguished experts, we aim to foster a more informed and engaged citizenry, particularly among our youth,” said Pradeep S Mehta, Secretary General, CUTS International.
The inaugural meeting of this expert advisory group took place at CUTS International’s headquarters in Jaipur, marking a significant step towards enhancing discourse on international affairs and public policy in Rajasthan.
During the meeting, members emphasised the need to expand discourse beyond Delhi and committed to working towards the agenda of “Shikshit Rajasthan, Surakshit Rajasthan, and Viksit Rajasthan” (Educated Rajasthan, Secure Rajasthan, and Developed Rajasthan) through three main interventions: Organising a periodic Public Policy Fest to raise awareness among the younger generation about the local impact of global issues along with a myths and realities publication and to generate discourse around defence, thus elevating Rajasthan as a defence corridor.
The Global Affairs Brain Trust, comprising retired bureaucrats, diplomats, and military officials aims to provide strategic guidance to CUTS International’s Global Affairs Centre. Notable members include retired Amb. Gauri Shankar Gupta, Amb. Satish Mehta Grp Capt. Ravi Raghav, Maj. Gen Sudhakar Jee, Col. Bhawani Singh, and Lt. Col. Pooran Singh. The meeting also had participation from the CUTS team including Pradeep S Mehta, Bipul Chattopadhyay, Purushendra Singh, Shivendra Shekhawat, Anjali Shekhawat and Dhruv Bansal.
The key focus is to promote and generate awareness of international affairs within Rajasthan. Additionally, CUTS aims to bolster its presence in critical regions, including the Indo-Pacific, Indian Ocean, West Asia, and Africa, through targeted research and advocacy efforts. These objectives collectively highlight the advisory group’s dedication to shaping global public policy and fostering international cooperation, starting from Rajasthan as a hub for informed dialogue.
CUTS Global Affairs, with its six overseas centres in Accra, Geneva, Hanoi, Lusaka, Nairobi, and Washington DC, continues to work towards advancing understanding and cooperation on trade and strategic issues across the Indo-Pacific, Indian Ocean, Australia, West Asia, and Africa.
