WION Global Summit: Thought leaders gather to discuss way forward for South Asia

Guest of honour Sheikh Nahayan arrival

His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Cabinet Member and Minister of Tolerance, United Arab Emirates was escorted upon his arrival by WION Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary, Ambassador of India to UAE Navdeep Suri and Sri Lanka's Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa.

Sheikh Nahayan, who was the Chief guest and guest of honour, inaugurated the summit in Dubai today. While addressing the gathering, he said the UAE has good trade relations with India and plays a key role in regional and global security.

"Our economy is paced for successful functioning of the global economy, the UAE is strategically located and has proximity to markets like Africa, Asia and southern Europe. Our country enjoys a high level of safety and security and a high standard of living," he said.

(Photograph:WION)

Sadhguru at WION Summit

Speaking at the Summit, founder of Isha Foundation and Sadhguru said, "Government cannot change peoples lives, they can facilitate it but people have to do it on their own." 

So there are emotions, strong emotions. But there are problems and there are solutions. When we invest in problems, problems multiply.
In a democratic nation when you take everyone's considerations and emotions it becomes very difficult to move in a direction.

(Photograph:WION)

Manish Tewari and Vijay Chauthaiwale

Former Union Minister Manish Tewari and In-Charge of Foreign Affairs Department, BJP Vijay Chauthaiwale were also among the attendees.

During the interaction, Tewari echoed that domestic politics should be left to the shores of the Arabian Sea for the nation to prosper.

While Vijay stated that it is important to know whether the steps taken to develop and save the integrity of the country are fruitful or not. 

(Photograph:WION)

Sadguru with WION Editor-in-Chief

WION Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary in a still with Isha foundation founder and spiritual guru Sadhguru during the Summit.  

(Photograph:WION)

Bhaswati Mukherjee

Bhaswati Mukherjee, former Indian Ambassador to The Netherlands who has been the Permanent Representative to UNESCO was also in attendance. 

(Photograph:WION)

Husain Haqqani

Husain Haqqani, director for South and Central Asia with the Hudson Institute, Haqqani served as Pakistan's ambassador to the US from 2008 to 2011, was present at the occasion in Dubai. 

(Photograph:WION)

General Bikram Singh greets Manish Tewari

General Bikram Singh and Congress leader Manish Tewari shake hands before the commencement of the summit.  

(Photograph:WION)

Group photograph

Participants including General Bikram Singh, Congress leader Manish Tewari along with prominent members pose for a group photograph at the WION Global Summit. 

(Photograph:WION)

Lookers-on collect ID cards

Spectators queue up to collect their ID cards to witness the WION Global Summit in Dubai.

The conclave is a gathering of hundreds of thought leaders from around the world who share common interest in exploring sustainable solutions for promoting peace and development in South Asia.

(Photograph:WION)