At a time when shifting geopolitical currents and energy insecurities are reshaping the global order, Sarsuna College emerged as a vibrant site of intellectual engagement, hosting a one-day international interdisciplinary seminar on “Energy Trade and Geopolitics: Need for Enhanced Energy Security and Self-Reliance” on March 25, 2026. Organised by the Department of Economics in collaboration with the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), the seminar unfolded under the leadership of Dr Gopal Chandra Mandal, Principal of the college.
Convened by Dr Chameli Mandal Pandit, the academic direction of the event was steered by the IQAC, with Dr Pintu Kumar Maji, IQAC Coordinator, playing a key facilitating role. The seamless execution of the programme was ensured by Joint Organising Secretaries Dr Piyali Das Gupta and Dr Debamitra Banerjee, supported by Dr Nabanita Sengupta as NAAC Coordinator and Dr Sanjib Kumar Gupta as TCS. The seminar brought together a distinguished assembly of scholars, researchers, and professionals, creating a space for rich and reflective dialogue on the evolving dynamics of global energy trade and the growing strategic weight of geopolitics.
The programme opened with registration and moved into an inaugural session marked by an opening song, the garlanding of the image of Swami Vivekananda, the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by eminent guests, and the unveiling of a wall magazine, an elegant confluence of academic thought and cultural expression. In his welcome address, Dr Gopal Chandra Mandal emphasised the urgency of adopting interdisciplinary approaches to better understand the intricate intersections of geopolitics, trade, and economic development. The keynote address by Dr Ajitava Raychaudhuri, former Professor of Economics at Jadavpur University, Kolkata, stood out as a defining moment of the seminar.
Speaking on “India’s Economic Development: Choosing the Right Trajectory,” he offered a nuanced and incisive reading of India’s policy choices and developmental pathways within an increasingly complex global economic architecture. The deliberations were further enriched by invited lectures from eminent scholars, including Dr Girijasankar Mallik of Western Sydney University, Australia; Professor Biswajit Chatterjee of Jadavpur University; Dr Pinaki Chakraborti of Burdwan University; and Dr Sudakshina Gupta of the University of Calcutta. Their presentations traversed a wide intellectual terrain, ranging from fertility and economic growth to the evolving contours of US hegemony, the strategic deployment of energy in global politics, and the question of economic resilience in conflict-affected regions.
The technical sessions collectively underscored a central reality: the ongoing transition from a unipolar to a multipolar world order, coupled with intensifying geopolitical tensions, presents both formidable challenges and significant opportunities for India. While concerns over energy dependence and vulnerabilities in global supply chains persist, the discussions pointed to India’s capacity to recalibrate by strengthening its manufacturing base, diversifying trade partnerships, and sustaining a balanced diplomatic engagement with major global powers. Threaded through the seminar was the resonant vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, evoking the need for deeper self-reliance, technological advancement, and strategic resilience in navigating an increasingly complex global landscape. Marked by enthusiastic participation from faculty members, research scholars, and students, the seminar fostered a dynamic and thoughtful exchange of ideas, reaffirming the role of academic spaces as vital arenas for engaging with the pressing questions of our time.