India’s foreign policy is ultimately decided by the elected government through institutions such as the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Cabinet, but the conversations that inform those decisions are shaped by a much wider ecosystem of diplomats, academics, retired military officers, industry experts and policy think tanks.
Among the most influential of these is the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), a New Delhi-based public policy think tank that has, over the past three decades, emerged as a prominent platform for strategic research and international dialogue.
Through policy papers, expert commentary, conferences and flagship initiatives such as the Raisina Dialogue-co-hosted with the MEA-ORF has become an important venue where policymakers, scholars and global leaders exchange ideas on issues ranging from India’s neighbourhood and China policy to technology, climate change, maritime security and global governance. While supporters view ORF as an institution that strengthens informed policymaking through evidence-based research, critics have questioned whether historical corporate funding and close engagement with government leaders could influence perceptions of its independence.
ORF maintains that it is a non-partisan organisation committed to rigorous, independent research and the exchange of diverse viewpoints. The discussion surrounding ORF reflects a broader question: who shapes the ideas that eventually influence India’s foreign policy, and how transparent should those processes be in a democracy?
How Ideas Influence Policy
Foreign policy is rarely formulated in isolation. Around the world, governments routinely draw upon research institutions, universities and independent experts to better understand evolving geopolitical challenges before taking decisions.
In India, ORF has established itself as one of the country’s leading strategic think tanks, publishing research on subjects including the Indo-Pacific, India’s relations with China and Pakistan, energy security, cyber governance, artificial intelligence, climate diplomacy and emerging technologies. Its scholars frequently contribute to public debate through articles, policy briefs and media appearances, while its events bring together heads of state, ministers, diplomats, business leaders and researchers from across the globe.
The Raisina Dialogue, now recognised as India’s premier geopolitical conference, has significantly expanded ORF’s international profile by creating a platform for discussions on major global issues alongside the MEA. ORF’s own institutional description states that its objective is to inform public policy through independent research and dialogue rather than advocate predetermined political positions. Its Foreign Policy Survey 2025, for instance, highlighted strong public support among young Indians for India’s international engagement while identifying China as the country’s foremost strategic challenge according to respondents.
Such surveys do not determine government policy, but they contribute to understanding public opinion and enrich wider policy discussions. At the same time, analysts have argued that influence should always be accompanied by accountability. Critics have pointed to ORF’s historical funding links with Reliance Industries and its proximity to policymakers as reasons why transparency around funding, governance and research methodology remains important. ORF has consistently described itself as a non-partisan institution that welcomes differing perspectives and encourages informed debate based on evidence rather than ideology.
India’s Strategic Ecosystem
ORF’s growing prominence mirrors a broader global trend in which think tanks increasingly act as bridges between academic research and public policy. Institutions such as Chatham House in the United Kingdom, the Council on Foreign Relations in the United States and similar organisations across Europe and Asia regularly influence policy conversations without possessing formal decision-making authority.
India’s strategic landscape has evolved in a similar direction over the past three decades, particularly as issues such as border security, technological competition, energy transitions and shifting global alliances have become more complex. Recent debates surrounding India-China relations including discussions on the Line of Actual Control, patrolling points, disengagement agreements and wider Indo-Pacific strategy, have demonstrated how policymakers, security experts and research institutions collectively shape public understanding of foreign affairs. Yet it remains essential to distinguish between influence and authority.
India’s Constitution and democratic framework place foreign policy decisions firmly in the hands of elected representatives and authorised government institutions. Think tanks may introduce ideas, test policy options, convene debates and publish recommendations, but they neither formulate nor implement official policy. Their influence depends on the quality of their research, the credibility of their analysis and the willingness of decision-makers to engage with their work. As public interest in foreign affairs grows, scrutiny of institutions that help frame these debates is also becoming increasingly significant.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Healthy democracies thrive when policymaking is informed by diverse expertise while remaining accountable to the public. Institutions like ORF can enrich national conversations by bringing together researchers, diplomats, practitioners and global experts, but their influence must always be accompanied by transparency, intellectual independence and openness to scrutiny.
Equally, citizens benefit from understanding that policymaking is rarely shaped by a single institution; instead, it emerges through the interaction of elected governments, civil servants, strategic experts, universities, civil society and informed public debate. Encouraging evidence-based discussion rather than suspicion or blind acceptance helps strengthen democratic decision-making and public trust.
As India navigates an increasingly complex global landscape, greater transparency around how ideas are generated, debated and translated into policy will only make its institutions more resilient. How can India encourage greater openness around the policy ecosystem while ensuring expert research continues to strengthen democratic decision-making?
