Conclave brings regional politics, business and culture to Kochi
The seventh edition of the India Today Conclave South will be held in Kochi on September 29 and 30 at the Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty, the organisers reported. The two-day forum, which the organisers describe as a platform for dialogue across geopolitics, business, technology and culture, will run under the theme “Surging South”.
The Conclave aims to examine the growing economic and strategic role of South India in national affairs, with sessions planned on governance, defence, investment, education and employment, as well as cinema, culture and social change, the report said. It has attracted a mix of state and national politicians, ministers, bureaucrats and industry figures.
Key participants include Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh, Indian Coast Guard Director General S. Paramesh and Manappuram Finance Managing Director V.P. Nandakumar. Eminent cultural personality and filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan is also listed among speakers.
- Dates: September 29–30.
- Venue: Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty.
- Theme: “Surging South” — focusing on the region's political influence and economic ambitions.
“Surging South reflects this dynamism and the region’s growing role in shaping India’s future,” the organisers said.
Political and economic focus with a regional outlook
The Conclave will convene leaders from state governments across South India alongside central figures and opinion makers. The reported list of participants encompasses chief ministers, deputy chiefs, state ministers and Members of Parliament, signalling a substantial political presence. Sessions are slated to address federalism, political representation and opportunities for the new generation — topics that bear directly on governance and development debates in Kerala and neighbouring states.
In addition to the political line-up, industry and defence voices are scheduled to participate, reflecting the organisers’ intention to explore South India's expanding economic and strategic footprint. The presence of banking and finance executives such as the head of Manappuram Finance indicates the economic and investment conversations will be an important strand of the programme, the report said.
Programme highlights and notable speakers
Organisers provided a partial list of speakers and officeholders expected to attend. The following table summarises some of the reported participants and their designations:
| Speaker | Designation |
|---|---|
| V.D. Satheesan | Chief Minister, Keralam |
| Nara Lokesh | Minister for Human Resources Development, Andhra Pradesh |
| S. Paramesh | Director General, Indian Coast Guard |
| V.P. Nandakumar | Managing Director, Manappuram Finance |
| Adoor Gopalakrishnan | Filmmaker |
Other listed participants include state ministers and Members of Parliament from across the South, such as Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu, Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh S. Lad and Lok Sabha members including Asaduddin Owaisi and Hibi Eden, according to the organisers’ report.
What Kochi stands to gain
For Kochi and the greater Ernakulam district, hosting the Conclave brings visibility and a concentration of decision-makers that can spotlight regional priorities — infrastructure, ports and maritime trade, higher education and the creative economy among them. The theme’s emphasis on the South’s role in technology, manufacturing and maritime trade aligns with Kerala’s ongoing policy priorities and the state’s focus on attracting investment in these sectors.
City hosts and local stakeholders often use such events to press for concrete project commitments or to showcase local initiatives. While the full programme and session details were not listed in the original report, the mix of political, defence and business speakers suggests discussions likely to touch on both policy and investment questions relevant to Kerala.
Attendance is expected from a cross-section of political leaders, bureaucrats, business representatives and cultural figures. Residents and local businesses interested in the sessions should watch for final programme announcements from the organisers for timings and specific panel details.
The Conclave’s return to Kochi marks the continuation of a pattern in which national forums are turning to South Indian cities as venues for debate on India’s evolving economic and strategic landscape, the organisers said.
