Distinguished Research and Public-policy Think-tank

The Dialogue is a research and public-policy think-tank with a vision to drive a progressive narrative in India’s policy discourse. Founded in July 2017, we believe in facilitating policy debates at various levels to help develop a more informed citizenry.

The Dialogue’s mission is to bring policy to the people and subsequently connect them with issues that really matter in today’s world, with the long-term objective of driving reforms through informed public opinion and citizenry participation. Our primary focus is on technology, being a key driver of change in the 21st century.

At The Dialogue, we focus on communicating with impact and using innovative tools. We develop policy documents, briefs, reports, research studies, books and case studies having worked with leading institutions from India and abroad.

We have been at the forefront of the policy discourse on data privacy, information technology, fintech, competition law, telecom regulation, online gaming, emerging technologies, among others. The Dialogue has been a key voice in the larger policy discussions and have closely engaged with the government and other stakeholders, with the vision of taking this forward in a greater capacity in the coming years and beyond.

We work with research institutions, governments, media, civil societies, bilateral missions and universities to drive research, stakeholder engagement and empowerment initiatives supported by our in-house team and network of experts and advisors. The Dialogue is now recognised as a change agent in India’s policy-making process, working and engaging closely with policy-makers, corporates, academia and other relevant actors in the policy-making ecosystem.

Our stronghold in the policy ecosystem – driven by our research, conferences, publications and strong networks – enables us to deliver maximum impact.

Meet Our Advisors

The Dialogue is supported by a diverse team of experts with extensive experience with government and industry. They play a pivotal role in shaping our research initiatives, providing strategic counsel, and ensuring innovative and impactful tech policy recommendations.

Dr. Amar Patnaik

Former Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha)

Dr. Amar Patnaik, Founder of A&N Legal Solutions LLP, is a former Member of Parliament (2019-2024) and IA&AS officer. A champion of economic, technological, and climate reforms, he has advanced key frameworks in ESG, data privacy, and AI. An alumnus of St. Stephen’s College, Harvard Kennedy School, and Wharton, he is also a certified Fraud Examiner. The Dialogue proudly welcomes him as our Senior Advisor.

Mr. Mrutyunjay Mahapatra

Member Board Of Directors and Chairman Audit Committee, Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH)

Mr. Mrutyunjay Mahapatra, a luminary in the Indian Banking and Financial Technology sector, boasts a prolific career spanning over four decades. Commencing his journey at SBI in 1982, he held senior and CXO-level roles globally, contributing significantly to the establishment of new businesses like Leasing, Private Equity, and Insurance. Currently, he serves on the boards of prominent organisations, including RBIH, NSEIT, Nippon Life Insurance, Spice Money, Mayfair Hotels, and Quantum MF. We are honored to have him with us as our Senior Advisor.

Mr. Jaspreet Bindra

Founder - Al&Beyond and Tech Whisperer Ltd and Ex-CDO Mahindra, Microsoft and TAS

Jaspreet Bindra is a seasoned expert in digital transformation and technology strategy. He has held leadership roles such as Group Chief Digital Officer at Mahindra Group, Regional Director at Microsoft India, and General Manager in the Tata Group. A founding team member of Baazee.com (later eBay India), Jaspreet is also the Founder of AI Beyond and Tech Whisperer Limited, UK. With an MBA, a degree in Chemical Engineering, and a Master’s in AI, Ethics, and Society from the University of Cambridge, he currently advises organizations like Mahindra Holidays and Findability Sciences. Jaspreet will now join The Dialogue as an Advisor, and we look forward to collaborating with him to advance thought leadership on AI and its responsible evolution.

Mr. Tabrez Ahmad

Group Director of Government Affairs & Public Policy for the Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ), Dell Technologies

Tabrez Ahmad, Group Director of Government Affairs & Public Policy for APJ at Dell Technologies, brings over 20 years of experience in legal practice, public policy, and business strategy. He has held leadership roles at eBay India, OPPI, Microsoft Corporation, and FICCI, shaping key policies like the IT Act, data protection frameworks, and national telecom policies. His global expertise and vision make him an invaluable addition to The Dialogue, and we are thrilled to welcome him as an Advisor.

Prof. Subhajit Basu

Professor of Law and Technology, University of Leeds, UK

Professor Subhajit Basu, a leading expert in Law and Technology, focuses on the societal impacts of digital tech, especially in the Global South. Known for his work on privacy, consumer rights, and legal frameworks, he’s advised on cybercrime, data privacy, and AI ethics globally. His notable books include Privacy and Healthcare Data and Global Perspectives on E-Commerce Taxation Law. With a strong influence on digital governance policy, Professor Basu now advises The Dialogue on platform regulation and gender-tech issues.

Dr. Aurelien Portuese

Research Professor, The George Washington University

Dr. Aurelien Portuese, Research Professor, and Founding Director of the GW Competition & Innovation Lab at The George Washington University, brings a wealth of experience. As a practicing attorney at Freshfields’ DC office, Special Editor at the Antitrust Law Journal, and a published author in prestigious journals, he is recognized for his significant contributions to antitrust. Acknowledged with nominations for the 2022 and 2019 Antitrust Writing Awards, he currently serves as the Editor of the Special Symposium “Beyond Dynamic Competition” in the ABA’s Antitrust Law Journal. In his advisory role at The Dialogue, he focuses on delivering specialized expertise, particularly in competition law and policy.

Meet Our Team

At The Dialogue, our success hinges on the dedication and expertise of our young policy professionals. This core group, integrating subject matter experts seamlessly, ensures dynamic and efficient project approaches. Our team’s commitment forms the bedrock, allowing us to navigate challenges and deliver impactful results.

Kazim Rizvi

Founding Director

An important voice in India’s tech policy ecosystem, Kazim works on the intersection of technology, policy and society, with a focus on evidence-based research and discourse

Kriti Singh

Chief of Staff & Programme Manager - Online Gaming

Kriti oversees operations, research, strategic planning, and stakeholder relationships. With a journalism background, she’s dedicated to driving policy changes in the tech sector.

Akriti Jayant

Head of Communications

Akriti, with 11 years of diverse experience and a background in Journalism and Sociology, focuses on gender issues, women’s empowerment, and gender-integrated content creation.

Ayush Tripathi

Senior Programme Manager - Ecommerce, Fintech and Telecom

Ayush, specialises in E-commerce, FinTech, Telecommunication, and Digital Tax with a legal background and a strong research focus on technology policy.

Jameela Sahiba

Senior Programme Manager - Artificial Intelligence

Jameela, a lawyer by training, specialises in Artificial Intelligence and Parliamentary outreach, leveraging her legal and legislative expertise for positive change.

Meemansa Agarwal

Senior Research Associate

Meemansa Agarwal is a Senior Research Associate at The Dialogue, focusing on AI, online gaming, and the metaverse. She advocates for balanced tech regulations and holds a law degree from Symbiosis Law School.

Meet our Fellows

Our strength lies in seamlessly blending our distinguished fellows into a catalyst for success. Fostering collaboration with subject matter experts, we thrive on efficient project execution. This unique partnership connects us across diversity, upholding unwavering commitments to excellence. The dedication and capabilities of our team propel The Dialogue towards impactful outcomes.

Dr. Aditya Bhattacharjea

Professor of Economics (retd.), Delhi School of Economics and Visiting Senior Fellow, The Dialogue

Prof. Aditya Bhattacharjea, former Senior Professor of Economics at the Delhi School of Economics, brings extensive academic experience to his role as Visiting Senior Fellow at The Dialogue. With expertise in competition law and policy, Prof. Bhattacharjea’s research interests include international trade, industrial organization, and Indian economic development. He has contributed to government initiatives and served on various committees, bringing valuable insights to policy discussions. Prof. Bhattacharjea’s association with The Dialogue will be in the capacity of Visiting Senior Fellow, where he will be dedicated to delivering specialized knowledge, particularly in the domains of competition law and policy.

Dr. Viswanath Pingali

Professor, IIM Ahmedabad and Senior Fellow - Economics, The Dialogue

Prof. Viswanath (Vishy) Pingali, an economics faculty member at IIM Ahmedabad, specializes in competition law, digital markets, and public health research. He contributes to prestigious national and international journals. At IIMA, he teaches microeconomics, game theory, and behavioral economics, while also offering consultation services to corporations and law firms on competition and economics. With a Master’s from the Indian Statistical Institute and a PhD from Northwestern University, USA, Prof. Pingali brings extensive academic expertise to his role as a Senior Fellow- Economics at The Dialogue, focusing on specialized knowledge in competition law and policy.

Sriya Sridhar

Consultant, Privacy and Data Governance

Sriya is an experienced lawyer specialising in technology law, data protection, and fintech. Recognised in Legal 500 for Data Protection and Intellectual Property, she holds a Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe certification.