Hindu Huddle Amid ‘World in Transition’

Government by the people: Karnataka’s attempt at equitable growth – speech by DK Shivakumar, Chief Minister of Karnataka, at the sixth edition of The Hindu Huddle, in Bengaluru on June 5, 2026. | Photo credit: K. Murali Kumar

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday (June 5, 2026) described Bengaluru as “Asia’s largest talent pool”, highlighting the city’s huge pool of IT professionals, engineers, nurses and other skilled workers who contribute to economies around the world. According to him, Bengaluru remains one of the safest cities to live and work.

In Pictures: The Hindu Huddle 2026 | 1st day

Day 1 of The Hindu Huddle in Bengaluru, inaugurated by Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar (R). Dr. can be seen at the event. Narayan Lakshman, editor of The Hindu’s Opinion and curator of The Huddle (L).

Hindu Huddle 2026 opens in Bengaluru on June 5, 2026.

The Hindu Huddle has brought together the most influential experts under one roof at a time of shifting global priorities and polarities on June 5, 2026.

The sixth edition of The Hindu Group’s Thought Conclave was held in Bengaluru on 5th and 6th June.

Speaking at the event, J&K CM Omar Abdullah said, “Come and visit Kashmir. We don’t have enough visitors from south Vindhyas. We are trying to encourage more people from this part of the country to visit us.”

Xu Feihong, Chinese Ambassador to India, in a session with Suhasini Haidar, Diplomatic Affairs Editor, The Hindu, spoke about how India-China ties are one of the most important relationships in the world.

He spoke to diplomats at a session on ‘The Power of Words: Diplomacy in a Time of Conflict’ moderated by The Hindu’s Suhasini Haidar. Hervé Delphin, EU Ambassador to India, Nirupama Rao, former Foreign Minister and former Indian Ambassador to the US, and Philip Green, Australian High Commissioner to India, spoke on the panel.

In his speech, Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar said that Bengaluru has the largest talent pool in Asia.

Former Union Minister and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh and Dr. Krithi Karanth, Director General, Center for Wildlife Studies, addressed the session moderated by Gargi Rawat, Consulting Editor, NDTV.

Former union minister and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh told the session, “We have a very progressive system but ease of doing business is overtaking”.

In a session on ‘Leadership Architecture: Designing Plans for a Volatile World’ moderated by LV Navaneeth, CEO, The Hindu Group, the panel includes R. Ganesan, Senior Vice President & Head – Corporate Centre, L&T, Neeti Sharma, CEO, TeamLease Digital, Praveen Someshwar, MD and Global Executive Committee Member Kati Diage, U ShaSLlen Diageo, CEO, U ShaSLlen Diageo VP & MD, Lenovo India.

At the session “The Matrix Hears You: Chatbots and Mental Health”, Dr. Amit Malik, Psychiatrist and Founder, AMAHA and Dr. Prabha S Chandra, Professor of Psychiatry and Director, NIMHANS, with author Amrita Tripathi.

Actors Huma Qureshi and Kritika Kamra in conversation with Rohit Khilnani, journalist and talk show host.

A mentalist named Naman Anand spoke at the conclave.

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Speaking at the inauguration of the sixth edition of The Hindu Huddle at the Taj West End in Bengaluru, the chief minister said the event marked his first inauguration since assuming office.

Curated by The Hindu Opinion Editor, Narayan Lakshman, this edition of Hindu Huddle, themed ‘A World in Transition’, brought together heads of government, diplomats, policymakers, thought leaders, experts from various fields and members of the arts and entertainment industry to discuss the major geopolitical, economic, technological and social changes shaping the world today.

Distinguished speakers included Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, former Union Minister and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh, Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong, European Union Ambassador Hervé Delphin, former Foreign Secretary and former Indian Ambassador to the US and China Nirupama Rao and Australian High Commissioner Philip Green.

Praising The Hindu for its commitment to independent journalism, Mr. Shivakumar said, “You write history, we believe you make history.” He praised the editorial integrity of the daily, adding that The Hindu remained steadfast despite political and government pressure, saying, “You have not been swayed by any political or government pressure. Your pen is very straight.”

Published – 5 Jun 2026 22:53 IST