Ph.D. Scholar, Kanakuti Bala Krishna represents India at Commonwealth ASEAN Summit 2025 in Malaysia

The Commonwealth ASEAN Summit 2025, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, brought together youth delegates, policymakers, government officials, academics, and representatives from civil society across the Commonwealth and ASEAN regions. The Summit focused on strengthening regional cooperation, fostering inclusive governance, and exploring the role of youth in shaping sustainable and digital futures.

Representing Bharat/India at this prestigious global platform was Mr. Kanakuti Bala Krishna, Ph.D. Scholar in the Department of Communication, University of Hyderabad, working under the supervision of Prof. Kanchan K. Malik. An alumnus of UoH’s MA in Communication programme, Mr. Bala Krishna hails from Baddamvarigudem, a small hamlet in Chinthapally Mandal, Nalgonda District, Telangana. His selection as a Youth Delegate from India exemplifies how scholars from rural India are increasingly contributing to international policymaking and dialogue.

Representing India at a global diplomatic platform was a dream come true, especially coming from a rural background. I am deeply grateful to my mentors, teachers, and friends at the University of Hyderabad. Youth engagement in global diplomacy and policymaking is vital for building a more inclusive future,” said Mr. Bala Krishna.

 

Engagements at the Summit

During the Summit, Mr. Bala Krishna actively participated in multiple thematic sessions that focused on Education, Technology, Trade and Finance, Environment, and Socio-Cultural Development.

He held productive interactions with several global and regional leaders, including:

Mr. Milind Murli Deora, Member of Parliament and former Union Minister of India, with whom he discussed fostering partnerships between Indian public universities and international organisations to support students from rural areas.

Ms. Beth Button, Director of External Affairs at the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), on enhancing collaborative academic opportunities such as fellowships and youth exchange initiatives.

Senator Dato’ Sivaraj, Member of the Senate Council of the Parliament of Malaysia, and Datuk Nor Yahati Awang, Deputy Secretary-General, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Malaysia, on youth participation in sustainability policy and climate action.

Mr. Bernard Oduro Takyi, representing the USA and Africa Trade Commission, discussing cross-regional cooperation on innovation and inclusive trade.

He also met Ms. Shubashini Narayanan, Deputy High Commissioner of India to Malaysia, sharing his insights from the Summit and discussing the role of Indian students and professionals in Malaysia’s multicultural environment.

 

Experience and Reflection

Reflecting on his experience, he noted that the Summit reinforced his commitment to inclusive policy design, global cooperation, and youth empowerment as essential drivers of sustainable development.

About the Summit

The Commonwealth ASEAN Summit 2025 was organised to build stronger Commonwealth–ASEAN partnerships by creating actionable strategies on trade, innovation, environmental resilience, and digital transformation. It encouraged long-term collaboration among public institutions, civil-society organisations, and youth networks to advance shared development goals.

The Summit also launched new initiatives such as the Commonwealth Connect Programme and the Commonwealth–ASEAN Trade and Investment Council (CATIC) to strengthen knowledge exchange and investment partnerships.

UoH’s Global Engagement

The University of Hyderabad takes pride in the achievement of Mr. Kanakuti Bala Krishna and congratulates him for representing India on an international platform that aligns with UoH’s vision of nurturing globally engaged, socially responsible scholars. His participation highlights the University’s commitment to encouraging student and researcher involvement in cross-regional dialogue, sustainable development, and youth leadership.