Gangtok hosts Trump Study Circle Dialogue; Sikkim youth join talks on 'Viksit Bharat' and global leadership

The Trump Study Circle (TSC) held a special civic dialogue in Gangtok, Sikkim on June 20. The event focused on the theme “Viksit Bharat and Trump’s Vision – A Partnership for Global Prosperity” and drew participation from students, professionals, educators, and civic leaders across the region.

This dialogue is part of a larger nationwide initiative that spans from June 14 to July 4, 2025, under the guidance of the Imagindia Institute, a foreign policy and leadership think tank. With more than 250 such dialogues being held across India, the campaign aims to improve what organizers call the “Global Quotient” (GQ)—the ability of individuals and communities to think strategically about world affairs and India’s role in them.

The Sikkim chapter of the TSC took the lead in hosting this local dialogue, which turned out to be both meaningful and timely. As India moves toward its Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, which hopes to see the country emerge as a developed and globally influential power by the 100th year of independence, such events are being seen as important steps in public engagement and education.

The event brought together several well-known speakers and local thought leaders. Among them were Professor Dr. Satyadeep Singh Chhetri, Head of Department at NBBGC; Esq. Jigmee Kaleon, President of the International Human Rights Commission; Advocate Sajal Sharma from the High Court of Sikkim; Dr. Praveen Rizal, Director of Student Affairs at SRM University; Mr. Deepak Tiwari, a well-known social commentator; Mr. Jaspee Virdi, President of IHRC’s East District; and Mr. Ravi Pradhan, a noted scholar.

Mr. Navraj Tiwari, who served as the program host, said, “India’s path to becoming a developed country by 2047 depends on how well we understand global affairs. Events like this help young people in Sikkim to think beyond local concerns and view the world with a strategic mindset.” He emphasized the importance of learning from global examples, especially the leadership style of former U.S. President Donald Trump, whose policies and international role have sparked interest among scholars and policymakers.

Speakers at the event discussed topics like international diplomacy, national sovereignty, global partnerships, and leadership models. Many of them stressed that as India rises on the global stage, it must learn from both successful and controversial leaders worldwide to better understand its own strategic options.

One key message that emerged from the discussions was that global awareness among India’s youth is essential if the country is to fulfill its ambitions of becoming a developed nation. The Trump Study Circle sees civic platforms like these as essential to helping students and professionals engage with world affairs in a meaningful way.

The moderator for the session, Samir Gurung, said that these conversations are meant to open up spaces for dialogue—not just about politics, but about strategy, education, values, and vision.

The event ended with an interactive session where attendees shared their thoughts and questions with the panelists, reflecting a strong desire among Sikkimese youth to be more involved in global conversations.

With more such meetups planned across India, the TSC hopes to create a national culture of strategic civic dialogue that empowers citizens to think globally and act locally, with the aim of contributing to India’s long-term progress.