Mumbai will host the fourth World Hindu Congress from December 18 to 20, with over 4,000 delegates expected from more than 60 countries

Swami Vigyananandji makes his point at the press meet yesterday. Pic/Ashish Raje

Mumbai will host the World Hindu Congress (WHC) 2026 on December 18, 19 and 20 at the Jio World Convention Centre, Bandra Kurla Complex. It was announced at a press conference held at the Press Club, Azad Maidan, on Thursday afternoon.

The fourth WHC is expected to see participation from more than 4000 delegates from over 60 countries, bringing together Hindu leaders, thinkers, professionals and representatives from diverse fields and institutions from across the world.

Global influence

Swami Vigyananandji, initiator of WHC, addressed a packed house, saying, "The WHC is a strategic and structured movement to position Hindus globally in key areas of influence such as the economy, education, academia, media, and politics."

Vigyananandji said that, as a community, Hindus need to create a distinct identity, "a strategic positioning. Currently, we tend to be collectively grouped as South Asians."

Hindus are frequently grouped under the umbrella of 'South Asians'. This is a common categorisation, though 'South Asian' actually refers to individuals from the Indian subcontinent, with India, Bangladesh and Pakistan categorised together. Clubbing people of Indian origin together with neighbouring countries created by the 1947 Partition, such as Pakistan and Bangladesh, for many means erasing or overlooking a distinct culture.

Asian unity

He upheld Europe as an example. "In spite of two World Wars, we have the European Union, one entity, and they have a common currency. We need countries with majorities practising Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism coming together in Asia. This need not spell exclusion for others but will strengthen the community politically and economically. When you are strong economically, you can influence policy at the global table and have a louder voice. We can spread our message of universal brotherhood in a more robust way."

Expo plans

Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat will address the inaugural session of World Hindu Congress 2026. The three-day global gathering will feature more than 45 sessions and over 150 speakers.

The theme of World Hindu Congress 2026 is 'Shared Commitment, Collective Resolve.' Held once every four years, with earlier editions in New Delhi (2014), Chicago (2018) and Bangkok (2023), and now India, it will mark a 'first' with the inaugural World Hindu Expo launched as part of the Congress.

Economic growth

This Expo is aimed at stimulating trade and commerce. "We have seen networking resulting in business deals in the past. Here, we are focused on economic growth." Speakers said that they hoped business Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between two parties at the expo will fructify into real business deals, not just "talk in the air". Ajay Piramal is chairman of the World Hindu Congress 2026 Mumbai Organising Committee.

4,000
Expected delegates at the fourth WHC