Raisina Middle East: Invest, Connect, Secure

Secure, Connect, Invest—these three ideas form the bulwark around which Raisina Middle East 2026 is devised. The past few years have seen the dismantling of the old and the birth of the new; the post–Cold War era of universal multilateralism, anchored in institutions like the UN and the WTO, is losing credibility, globalisation is withering in the face of growing protectionism, and the post-war consensus that underpinned global stability is under review. Peace is under severe duress. Threats from non-state actors, challenges posed by states contributing to regional instability, and disregard for international laws and systems have become rampant. The erosion of the rules-based order is not an abstract concern. Recent conflicts have exposed the inability of institutions and frameworks designed to uphold international law to prevent war, bring conflicts to logical conclusions, or safeguard freedom of navigation through the world’s most critical waterways. The norms that once offered predictability to states, markets, and societies are not simply fading; they are being actively tested and violated. Instead of a crisis, however, these challenges offer an opportunity: to return to first principles and rethink how the world connects, cooperates, and grows. A new global map that reflects today’s realities must be drawn—one rooted in respect for international law, open and secure commerce, and institutions capable of meeting contemporary challenges. This reimagined order necessitates connecting key actors and geographies with aligned visions of shared prosperity and rising aspirations. This is what Raisina Middle East 2026 seeks to achieve: a recalibration and renewal of priorities.