Asia Dialogues
Esteemed Speakers at Asia Dialogues
Forum 2026 | Delhi
Dr. Padmakumar Nair
Vice Chancellor Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology
Professor Padmakumar Nair, Vice Chancellor, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology and the founding Dean of Thapar School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, is a passionate researcher, teacher, and scholar in innovation in higher education, leadership development, nanostructured materials, and sustainability. He has more than 55 publications in journals of international repute. He has been cited more than 2900 times in academic journals with a Google Scholar H-factor of 29. Professor Nair has worked both in academia and industry and has a combined experience of more than 38 years in various sectors such as oil & gas (Shell in Amsterdam), education (Netherlands, Denmark, US, Japan, China, and South Korea), consulting (PwC, Japan and the US) and advanced R&D (NL, Japan and US).
Ajay Kumar Dhir
Chief Information & Digital Officer Vardhman Yarns & Threads
Proven leadership in driving strategic growth and market dominance through cutting-edge innovation, data intelligence, future-ready digital ecosystems, and human capital excellence across dynamic, high-stakes landscapes. Track record of success across leading organizations including American & Efird (India, South Asia), Lanco Group (India, Singapore, Australia), Jindal Stainless, Hero Group, Quattro Business Support Services and Adhunik Group, to name a few. Architected modern, scalable enterprises by overhauling legacy systems, leading 30+ full-scale ERP implementations (SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards), and building integrated Shared Services hubs (HR, IT, FP&A, Treasury, Procurement).
Akshansh Yadav
CEO- ITV Digital, iTV Network
Akshansh Yadav is CEO – Digital at ITV Network, leading large-scale digital transformation across India’s fastest-growing media brands. A computer science engineer with training in digital marketing and machine learning, he has built and scaled high-impact digital platforms across media, fintech, and marketplaces. His career spans leadership roles at ABP News, Zee Media, CarDekho, Canara HSBC Life, and India Today, driving OTT launches, AI-led personalization, and audience growth at scale.
Anurag Jain
Chief Digital & Technology Officer (CDTO), KFC India & Partner Countries Yum! Brands
Anurag Jain is Chief Digital & Technology Officer at Yum! Brands (2023–Present), leading digital transformation for KFC India & partner countries. He earlier founded ProductEyes (2021–2023), advising CEOs on product and digital strategy. Previously, he was Group CPO at Jubilant FoodWorks (2019–2021), driving Domino’s 3x digital growth. He served as Global VP Product at OLX (2016–2019), EVP Product at InfoEdge (2013– 2016), Senior PM at Microsoft (2013), Product Leader at Nokia (2009–2013), National Brand Manager at Dassault Systemes (2008–2009), and Research Lead at Intelligent Automation (2004–2007).
Ashok Kumar IPS
Vice-Chancellor, Sports University of Haryana, Rai, Sonipat
Ashok Kumar, IPS is the Vice-Chancellor of the Sports University of Haryana, Rai, Sonipat. A senior Indian Police Service officer with extensive administrative and leadership experience, he has served in various key positions across law enforcement and governance. Known for his strategic vision and commitment to public service, he now focuses on strengthening sports education, talent development, and institutional excellence to build a robust sporting ecosystem in Haryana.
Barun Jha
National Editor, Press Trust of India (PTI)
Barun Jha is National Editor and Deputy Executive Editor at the Press Trust of India (PTI) with over 27 years of distinguished journalism experience. Based in New Delhi, he leads national coverage across politics, governance, parliament, business, and public policy, guiding editorial strategy and newsroom operations. He has extensively reported on major global and national events, including the World Economic Forum, G20 summits, and high-level diplomatic visits. A respected media professional, he is the recipient of the PRCI Chanakya Award for Media Person of the Year (Print), 2018.
Dr. Rajeev Jha
CISO Comviva
Rajeev Jha is an accomplished Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) with over 21 years of extensive experience in cybersecurity leadership, information assurance, privacy, and risk management. He currently heads enterprise-wide security strategy at Comviva Technologies Limited, leading initiatives around Zero Trust architecture, cloud security modernization and advanced SOC and incident response programs across diverse global environments. He brings a unique blend of experience from both global consulting organizations and defense-sector environments, having held leadership roles at Ernst & Young, Alchemy Techsol, and the Government of India (Ministry of Defence).
Gaurav Dalmia
Chairman, Dalmia Group Holdings
Gaurav Dalmia is the Chairman of Dalmia Group Holdings, a holding company for business and financial assets. It invests in private equity, real estate, public markets, structured debt and fixed income. He is an early investor in and a Board member of True North, a leading Indian private equity fund, which manages approximately $3.5billion. He is also the founder and Chairman of Landmark Holdings, a real estate investment firm. He is a member of the Governing Board of The Institute for New Economic Thinking in New York.
Gaurav Joshi
CTO, Vserv Infosystems
Gaurav Joshi is the Chief Technology Officer at Vserv Infosystems (2025–Present) with over a decade of experience leading large-scale technology transformations across fintech, OTT, payments, and telecom domains. Previously, he served as Head of IT at Paul Merchants Ltd (2022–2025), driving UPI-PPI integration, core banking modernization, and digital product innovation. Earlier roles include VAS Specialist at DishTV (2022), Senior Product Architect at SKYWORTH (2020–2022), VAS Engineer at Videocon d2h (2017–2019), and Infrastructure Engineer at Anand Rathi Securities (2014–2016). He specializes in system architecture, microservices, fintech platforms, and high- performance product engineering.
Gopalji Mehrotra
Chief Human Resources Officer ACME Group
Gopalji Mehrotra is the Group CHRO at ACME and one of India’s most respected HR leaders, bringing over three decades of depth across consumer, industrial, and technology-led sectors. Recognized as an Influential HR Leader of 2025, he has shaped organizations through global expansions, M&A integration, and culture transformation spread across 21 countries.
Kapil Mantri
President & Global Head - Group Strategy & M&A, Jindal Steel and Power
Kapil Mantri is President & Global Head – Group Strategy & M&A at Naveen Jindal Group, leading corporate strategy, acquisitions, divestments, capital raising, and policy advocacy across metals, mining, and energy. He also serves as Whole-time Director & CFO at Kineta Power Limited (2013–Present) and Board Member of Jindal United Steel Limited (2016–Present) and OPJ Trading Private Limited (2014–Present). Earlier, he worked as Software Design Engineer at Microsoft (2003–2006), bringing strong strategic and execution expertise to large-scale global businesses.
Rohit Shukla
Exec. Director and CDO, Khaitan & Co
Rohit Shukla is a digital transformation leader and currently Executive Director & CDO at Khaitan & Co (2022–Present), driving AI-led innovation in legal services. He co- founded LegitQuest (2017–2022) and UrbanHub (2015–2017). Previously, he was Director – Product Development at LexisNexis (2008–2013), Senior Program Manager at Fidelity Investments (2005–2008), and Practice Manager at Wipro Technologies (2002–2005). He began his career as Systems Analyst at Frontline Consulting Services (2000–2002) and Tata Consultancy Services (1996–2000). An IIT Bombay and IIM Calcutta alumnus, he specializes in AI, analytics, and enterprise transformation.
Ruchika Chaudhry Govil
Former Additional Secretary Min of Steel GOI
Ruchika Chaudhry Govil is a senior Indian Revenue Service officer of the 1990 batch, retired as Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Delhi. She served as Additional Secretary/Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Steel and was on the Board of several PSUs. She contributed to national policy on Circular Economy, Steel Policy and Green Steel, and represented India at global platforms including WTO, OECD, G-20 and COP-27/28. She has also worked in the Ministries of Culture and Earth Sciences, the Finance Commission and CBDT policy divisions.
Dr. Saroj Dubey
Doctor, Author & Motivational Speaker, Kailash Healthcare
Dr. Saroj Dubey is a senior medical professional, author, and internationally recognized motivational speaker associated with Kailash Healthcare. A TEDx speaker, he blends clinical expertise with holistic wellness, focusing on mental health, preventive care, and personal growth. With years of experience in healthcare, he promotes resilience, mindfulness, and positive thinking as essential elements of well-being. Passionate about research and lifelong learning, Dr. Dubey inspires individuals to lead healthier, balanced, and purpose-driven lives.
Tarun Anand
Group Chief Information Officer Jakson Group
Tarun is a seasoned Digital Leader with over three decades of experience in driving digital transformation across diverse industries & geographies. He spearheads the technology vision, leveraging cutting-edge IT strategies to build high-performing enterprise architectures and scalable digital ecosystems. Tarun is a certified Global CIO from ISB Hyderabad and Certified Information Security Manager.
DR. URMI MEHTA
Chief Industry Engagement Officer (CIEO), Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology
Dr. Urmi Mehta serves as Chief Industry Engagement Officer at Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology. With over two decades of experience, she has forged 15+ industry-academia partnerships, led initiatives that increased internship placements by 40%, and secured funding worth several crores for research labs. She champions entrepreneurship by launching incubation programs, mentorship schemes, and live‑project collaborations. Under her leadership, curriculum alignment with industry standards improved, and students’ employability metrics rose significantly. Deeply committed to innovation and real‑world impact, Dr. Mehta bridges academic rigor and corporate relevance to advance Thapar’s mission of excellence and societal contribution.
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