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World Public Summit opens in Delhi with focus on shared future
global leaders gather to shape cooperation, values and future world order
NEW DELHI: World Public Summit India 2026 has officially opened in the capital, placing India at the centre of a global conversation on cooperation, values and the future of a rapidly changing world order.
Hosted at the Hyatt Regency from March 23 to 26, the summit has drawn a wide mix of policymakers, business leaders, scholars and civil society voices. Organised by the World Peoples Assembly and the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the gathering marks the first chapter of a year-long global dialogue set to travel across regions including Latin America, Africa, Europe and the Arab world.
India’s role as host reflects its rising influence in a multipolar world, with its growing presence across multilateral platforms and its BRICS presidency adding weight to the conversations unfolding in Delhi. The tone is clear. Dialogue, collaboration and shared values are taking centre stage.
Among the notable voices at the summit are Sameep Shastri, deputy chairman at the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sergey Cheryomin, minister of the Moscow government, Raksha Khadse, minister of sports and youth affairs, Oleg Skripochka, cosmonaut and Hero of the Russian Federation, and Parul Mahajan, media entrepreneur.
Over four days, discussions span themes ranging from cultural diplomacy and ethical economics to the role of media in shaping global narratives and the importance of youth and women’s leadership. Sessions also explore how tradition and innovation can work together in building sustainable futures, with even space cooperation entering the conversation as a shared frontier.
World Peoples Assembly chairman of the general council Svetlana Smirnova, captured the spirit of the summit, noting that a new world is emerging, shaped by dialogue, trust and shared values.
The summit is expected to conclude with the Delhi Declaration, a strategic roadmap aimed at strengthening global partnerships and guiding future cooperation. As the first in a wider global series, the event signals India’s growing role not just as a participant, but as a convener in shaping conversations that look well beyond borders.
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Shoppers Stop elevates Biju Kassim as GSS Beauty CEO
Move comes as GSS Beauty scales global brand partnerships in India.
MUMBAI: From store shelves to global shelves, the beauty game is getting a sharper makeover. Shoppers Stop has elevated Biju Kassim as managing director and chief executive officer of Global SS Beauty Brands Limited (GSSBB), signalling a stronger push into the premium beauty segment. The move builds on Kassim’s role in setting up GSSBB, a wholly owned subsidiary that has quickly positioned itself as a fast-growing distribution platform for global beauty brands in India. The unit has been central to Shoppers Stop’s ambition of expanding its footprint in the high-margin beauty and luxury categories.
Chairman Nirvik Singh noted that Kassim’s experience across the beauty ecosystem and his understanding of premium and luxury consumers would help steer the next phase of growth. The focus, he indicated, will be on sharpening the company’s beauty portfolio and scaling partnerships with international brands.
Kassim, for his part, steps into the role at a time when India’s premium beauty market is undergoing rapid evolution, driven by rising consumer aspirations and increased access to global labels. He highlighted that GSSBB will remain a key strategic pillar, with an emphasis on expanding brand partnerships, enhancing consumer experiences and driving growth across markets.
As global beauty brands continue to eye India as a high-growth destination, Shoppers Stop’s bet is clear: owning not just the shelf, but the entire beauty ecosystem behind it.
