The School of Journalism & Mass Communication at Apeejay Stya University (ASU), Gurugram held a two-day International Symposium on Media & Indian Foreign Policy, in collaboration with the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA)

It brought together diplomats, senior journalists, academics, and students to deliberate on how media narratives are shaping international relations and India’s global standing. The event commenced with the blessings from Mrs. Sushma Paul Berlia, Chancellor, ASU.

Dr. Neha Berlia, Pro-Chancellor of ASU, said, “In today’s world, media is no longer a passive observer; it is an active player in shaping perceptions, influencing decisions, and even altering the course of events.”

Chief Guest, His Excellency Dr. D. M. Mulay, former High Commissioner to Maldives, while delivering the keynote address, remarked, “Soldiers fight wars on the ground, while media professionals and diplomats fight battles of perception.”

The symposium featured insights from leading journalists and thought leaders including Vikram Chandra, Nitin Gokhale, Maya Mirchandani, Saikat Datta, Amit Baruah, Prof. K. G. Suresh, and Prof. Ashok Ogra, alongside ICWA scholar Dr. Arnab Chakrabarty.

Conversations covered the role of traditional and new media in diplomacy, how stories of conflict are framed, and the use of communication in peace-building or division. Participants analyzed the consequences of wrong data, the rise of social media, and the role of journalists in a digital world.

The symposium reaffirmed the notion that media is a strategic tool of statecraft, and reaffirmed ASU’s mission to develop leadership in thought across the interstices of media, policy, and global affairs.

ASU is a leading industry-centric technology and liberal arts university, focused on research & innovation. It is part of Apeejay Education which comprises 26 educational institutions across India.