In a world where a tweet can trigger a diplomatic response, a virus can halt global mobility, and supply chains span multiple continents, understanding how nations interact is no longer a niche academic interest — it’s a practical life skill. International Relations (IR), once viewed primarily as a domain for diplomats, political scientists, or government professionals, has now become deeply relevant across professions, markets, and communities.
Whether you’re pursuing engineering, business administration, computer science, medicine, psychology, or the arts, studying international relations can profoundly enrich your worldview, inform your decisions, and expand your opportunities. As students step into an increasingly interconnected world, IR serves as a compass — helping them navigate global complexity with clarity and confidence.
At a personal level, I have always been drawn to this field. I love listening to discourses on IR and reading published material related to geopolitics and global affairs. Had I not chosen medicine as a career, I am certain I would have joined the Indian Foreign Service — perhaps even serving today as an ambassador somewhere in the world.
My passion for international relations eventually pushed me to go beyond reading and listening — it inspired action. I once organised a seminar in Delhi on international relations and, when it was my turn to speak, I shared a thought that had stayed with me for years: discussions on international relations should move beyond
Delhi. In the capital, the speakers rarely change — and neither does the audience — only the venue does. If we want more people, especially young minds, to engage with global issues, we must take IR conversations to new places and new communities.
That moment sparked a journey. In 2012, we organised the first international relations conference in Pune in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Today, it is heartening to see more young people deeply curious about global politics and foreign policy — a sign that the landscape of engagement is finally expanding.
Our world has evolved to a point where events in one region can affect millions elsewhere. A health crisis can reshape mobility and work. A diplomatic disagreement can disrupt global supply chains. Technological advancements in one country can challenge laws, ethics, and security across continents. For students preparing to enter such a world, studying international relations offers the ability to understand how these connections work, and why global developments matter even when they unfold beyond national borders.
This relevance is further reinforced by the fact that nearly every career today is global in nature. Businesses operate across markets and cultures, engineers contribute to international projects governed by shared regulations, healthcare professionals engage with global health systems, and technology students are influenced by international policies on data, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. Without grounding in global politics, governance, and diplomacy, even the most skilled professionals may struggle to fully grasp the context of their work.
Beyond knowledge, international relations cultivates key skills indispensable in the twenty-first century — critical thinking, negotiation, intercultural communication, ethical reasoning, and the ability to navigate diverse worldviews. These strengths do not merely support academic success; they contribute to inclusive workplaces, meaningful collaboration, and responsible leadership.
International relations also compels us to reflect on the urgent challenges humanity faces collectively — climate change, cyber threats, global health risks, migration, development inequity, and conflict. None of these issues can be tackled by one nation alone. They demand cooperation, dialogue, and shared strategies. Learning how nations negotiate, form alliances, and build global institutions gives students a framework to imagine — and perhaps contribute to — more peaceful and sustainable futures.
Perhaps most importantly, studying international relations nurtures cultural empathy and global citizenship. It helps us appreciate differences rather than fear them, and equips us to engage thoughtfully with a world rich in diversity. In an era where misunderstandings — whether online or on the world stage — can escalate quickly, this ability has never been more valuable.
Ultimately, international relations is not merely an academic subject — it is an invitation to understand the world with greater depth and purpose. It encourages students to see themselves not only as citizens of one nation, but as participants in a shared global future. As higher education evolves to prepare students for a dynamic and interconnected world, incorporating IR into academic life is no longer optional — it is foundational.
By studying international relations, students do more than expand what they know — they expand who they can become. They grow into informed professionals, empathetic leaders, and global thinkers capable of contributing meaningfully to an increasingly interdependent world.