The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), GIFT City Campus, is hosting AAROHAN 2026 – Ascent in a Changing Global Economy, a two-day business conclave bringing together distinguished industry leaders, academicians, professionals and students to deliberate on the emerging forces transforming the global business landscape.

The conclave was inaugurated by Dr. K. Rangarajan, Hon'ble Vice Chancellor, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade. While delivering the keynote address, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor highlighted the significance of organising AAROHAN 2026 at IIFT GIFT City Campus, particularly in the context of GIFT City's emergence as an international financial and business hub. He emphasised the importance of FTA’s, bringing industry leaders, policymakers and academicians onto a common platform to deliberate on the changing dynamics of global trade, finance and business.

Dr. Rajendra Prasad Sharma, Professor and Campus Head, IIFT GIFT City Campus, delivered the welcome address. Dr. Sharma highlighted the vision behind AAROHAN 2026 and the importance of creating platforms where students can engage with industry leaders and gain first-hand insights into business practices. He also spoke about IIFT GIFT City Campus's endeavour to build strong industry connections, leveraging its presence in GIFT City to create greater opportunities for experiential learning, professional interaction and exposure to the evolving business and financial ecosystem.

Dr. Rahul Singh, Joint Director, DGFT and Development Commissioner Surat SEZ, delivered the special address, highlighting presence of IIFT in Gujarat as strategically important, given the state's strong position as a hub for international trade, exports, logistics and entrepreneurship.

AAROHAN 2026 features four thematic panel discussions covering international trade, marketing, finance, supply chain and operations, and consulting. The conclave brought together diverse perspectives from leading organisations, government institutions and the corporate ecosystem, providing a platform for deliberations on emerging challenges, opportunities and strategies shaping the global business landscape. The International Management Forum (Student Council) at IIFT GIFT City Campus, reflected the spirit of student engagement, collaboration and institutional participation, bringing together diverse perspectives through a thoughtfully curated and coordinated event.

DAY 1 | Exploring the Changing Landscape of Trade and Marketing

The first day featured two significant panel discussions focusing on the evolving dynamics of international trade and the changing strategies of global brand building.

PANEL 1 | TRADE IN TRANSITION

Globalisation on Whose Terms? The Contest Between Markets, Nations and Multinationals

The session was moderated by Mr. Samir J. Shah, National President, Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI), and featured an eminent panel of industry and government representatives: Dr. Rahul Singh – Joint Director, Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) & Development Commissioner, Surat SEZ, Mr. Jayprakash Goel – Joint Director, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), Mr. Amit Oza – Founder & CEO, Astramar Shipping, Mr. Devang Joshi – Director, Anchor Lines, Mr. Nitin Mohan Shandilya – Vice President, International Business, Tata Consumer Products, Mr. Pankaj Patodia – Vice President, International Business, Jesons Industries Limited, Mr. Ashutosh Gupte – Head of International Business, Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd.

PANEL 2 | MARKETING IN MOTION

Think Global, Act Local: Redefining Brand Growth in a Fragmenting Global Economy

The second panel was moderated by Dr. Rajendra Prasad Sharma, Professor and Campus Head, IIFT GIFT City Campus, the panel brought together accomplished marketing and business leaders: Mr. Gaurav Sarda – Chief Marketing Officer, Symphony Ltd., Mr. Rajiv Dubey – Vice President & Head of Media, Dabur India Ltd., Mr. Rajeev Nanda – Executive Vice President, International Business, Zydus Lifesciences, Mr. Jigar Patel - Pharmaceutical Scientist, Founder, Cosmetics Concept Research & Former Co-founder, Brillare

Shifting the focus to the future of people management, IIFT GIFT City Campus also hosted a premier HR Conclave on “The Human Edge”  - featured as a hallmark segment of AAROHAN 2026

The session was moderated by Ms. Charu Maini, Assistant Manager – HR & Admin, India INX (BSE Group, GIFT City), and featured an eminent panel of HR leaders: Ms. Preeti Ahuja – CHRO, Husk Power Systems, Mr. Ashish Lal – Head HR, Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Ltd., Mr. Rajan B. Saawant – Vice President – Corporate HR, Indoco Remedies Limited, Ms. Leena Lopez – Senior Vice President – Strategy & HR, Knowcraft Analytics Private Limited.

DAY 2 - The second day of AAROHAN 2026 will continue the deliberations with two significant panel discussions focusing on the transformation of financial markets and the growing importance of resilient supply chains, operational excellence and strategic consulting.

PANEL 3 | Finance

The Evolving Financial Landscape: Innovation, Resilience and Growth

The panel on finance will be moderated by Dr. Priyanka Jain, Faculty Finance, the panel will bring together distinguished professionals from the financial services and investment ecosystem: Mr. Ronit Kar – Director & CEO, ViewTrade IFSC, Mr. Mayank Devpura – Vice President, CareEdge Global IFSC Ltd., Mr. Manish Kumar – Senior Vice President, HDFC Bank, Mr. Utsav Shah – Head of International Solutions, Nuvama Private, Mr. Mihir Shirgaonkar, CFA – VP, Alternative Investments, Phillip Ventures IFSC Pvt. Ltd.

PANEL 4 | Supply Chain & Operations and Consulting

Built for Volatility: Rewiring People, Technology and Supply Chains in a Fragmented World

The concluding panel will be moderated by Mr. Amit Gadhvi, Head of Human Resources & Admin Operations, Cloudoffis. The session will feature experienced leaders from the consulting, manufacturing and supply chain ecosystem: Mr. Haresh Panjavani – Senior Director, Capgemini Invent; Head of Supply Chain & Procurement Consulting, Mr. Raja Kumar – Head, Logistics (Aftermarket), Endurance Technologies Ltd.; Supply Chain & Logistics Leader and Author, Mr. Anurag Jain – Managing Director, Accenture; Global Network Advisory, Supply Chain & Engineering, Dr. Dhaval Sheth – Partner, Grant Thornton Bharat LLP; Transformation Consulting and GTM

The two-day business conclave AAROHAN 2026 will provide students with valuable exposure to contemporary business perspectives, emerging industry trends and real-world managerial challenges. The discussions will highlight the interconnectedness of global trade, finance, marketing, human resources and supply chain operations in shaping the future of business. The conclave will reinforce the campus's vision of nurturing globally competent, industry-ready and future-focused business leaders equipped to navigate an evolving global economy.

About Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)

The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) is a premier institution of the Government of India, functioning as an autonomous organisation under the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry. Established in 1963, IIFT has been contributing to education, research, capacity building, and thought leadership in international trade and business. The establishment of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade GIFT City Campus marks a significant expansion of the Institute’s presence in Western India, strategically located in GIFT City, India’s first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC). The IIFT GIFT City campus offers its flagship two-year, full-time MBA (International Business) programme, Short-Term Management Development Programmes (MDPs) for industry, government, MSMEs and other stakeholders and also plans to launch the Executive Programmes. With Gujarat’s strong position in India’s exports, IIFT GIFT City Campus aims to further contribute to this leadership by strengthening capabilities in international trade, export procedures, documentation, research, consultancy and global business practices, serving as a one-stop knowledge partner for building globally competitive organisations.

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