Feb 08 2025 to Feb 08 2025 6:30 p.m.

Where

Bangalore International Centre

7 4th Main Rd, Stage 2, Domlur 560071

Event Description

From 1997 to 2000, Ruchi Ghanashyam and her husband traversed the labyrinthine corridors of Islamabad, bearing witness to seismic events that shook the region to its core. From the thunderous echoes of the India-Pakistan nuclear tests to the harrowing shadows of the Kargil conflict, their tale unfolds against the backdrop of geopolitical upheaval. As the first Indian woman diplomat stationed in Islamabad, Ghanashyam unveils the intricacies of cross-border relationships and the relentless drumbeat of history as witnessed through the prism of political upheavals in her book, A Woman in Islamabad 1997-2000.
In a riveting twist, A.R. Ghanashyam, the author’s husband, unveils his first-hand account of the tense moments preceding the Indian Airlines flight IC 814 hijacking, offering a gripping glimpse into the heart of crisis management.

Yet, amidst the tumult, Ambassador Ghanashyam’s narrative delves deeper, unravelling gender dynamics in a society steeped in tradition and inviting us to contemplate not just the challenges facing Pakistan but also the boundless potential for change and understanding. This session delves deeper into their experiences, exposing the layers of tradition that shape societal norms, offering a compelling examination of the challenges and opportunities inherent in the region’s sociopolitical landscape.
In this session, Ruchi Ghanashyam and A.R. Ghanashyam will be in conversation with Latha Reddy. A Q&A session with the audience will follow.
Speakers
Ruchi Ghanashyam
Former Ambassador

Ruchi Ghanashyam joined the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 1982. During her career of thirty-eight years, she worked in various capacities at the Ministry of External Affairs, the Government of India, including as director (Pakistan) and secretary (West). Outside India, she served in the Indian embassies in Damascus, Kathmandu, Brussels and Islamabad, as well as the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, New York. She was India’s high commissioner to Ghana, South Africa and the UK, where she retired in 2020.

Post retirement, she has written newspaper columns and articles as well as chapters for books. She has also participated in seminars and panel discussions, speaking on India’s foreign policy to students in India and the UK, as well as at think tanks. She is a member of the board of patrons at the India Centre for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development, University of Southampton, and adjunct faculty at Manipal Centre for European Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education.

Latha Reddy
Co-Chair, Global Commission on Stability in Cyberspace

Latha Reddy is the Co-Chairman, Global Commission on Stability in Cyberspace, and former Deputy National Security Adviser of India, where she was responsible for cybersecurity and other critical internal and external security issues. She also served as a Commissioner on the Global Commission on Internet Governance. Ms. Reddy served in the Indian Foreign Service from 1975-2011. She was then appointed as India’s Deputy National Security Advisor in the Prime Minister’s Office from 2011-2013. She is involved with several organizations and think tanks, both globally and in India. She is currently, among other positions, a Distinguished Fellow of the Observer Research Foundation and also serves on the Adjunct Faculty of the Takshashila Institution.