A press conference on the forthcoming launch of the Responsible Nations Index was held in New Delhi, outlining India’s initiative to introduce a globally anchored framework for assessing national performance through the lens of responsibility, ethics and sustainability. The Index is being launched by the World Intellectual Foundation in collaboration with Jawaharlal Nehru University, Indian Institute of Management Mumbai and the Dr Ambedkar International Centre.
Addressing the media, senior representatives from the World Intellectual Foundation, academia and partner institutions detailed the objectives, structure and global relevance of the Responsible Nations Index. The initiative has been positioned as India’s first comprehensive global index that moves beyond traditional power, economic size and GDP-based rankings to evaluate countries on broader and more humane parameters.
The Responsible Nations Index will assess 154 countries using transparent and globally sourced datasets to ensure credibility, comparability and objectivity. The speakers emphasised that the Index is designed to offer a balanced and value-driven perspective on national performance, reflecting how responsibly nations govern internally, protect the environment and contribute to global peace and cooperation.
It was explained that the Index is structured around three core dimensions. The first dimension, internal responsibility, focuses on dignity, justice, institutional integrity and the overall well-being of citizens. The second dimension, environmental responsibility, evaluates stewardship of natural resources, climate action and sustainable development practices. The third dimension, external responsibility, measures a country’s contribution to international peace, cooperation, humanitarian engagement and global stability.
The organisers highlighted that the Responsible Nations Index aims to initiate a global conversation on ethical leadership, responsible governance, sustainable development and global food security. By integrating social, environmental and international responsibility into a single analytical framework, the Index seeks to encourage nations to align policy choices with long-term global welfare rather than short-term economic or strategic gains.
The Responsible Nations Index will be formally launched on 19 January 2026 at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi, in the presence of former President of India Ram Nath Kovind. The launch is expected to mark a significant step in positioning India as a thought leader in advancing responsible, inclusive and sustainable models of global governance.
According to the organisers, the Index is intended to serve policymakers, researchers, institutions and global stakeholders by providing an alternative benchmark for evaluating national progress, fostering accountability and promoting a more ethical and cooperative international order.
