Building Dosti Beyond Borders: A Stanford University Story
Born at Stanford University, Project Dosti is creating new opportunities for dialogue, friendship, entrepreneurship, and cooperation between young Indians and Pakistanis.
India and Pakistan are often defined by political tension, yet across the global diaspora, Indians and Pakistanis already study together, work together, build businesses, conduct research, and form lasting friendships.
Project Dosti grew from the Stanford Indo-Pak Dosti Forum (SIPDF) and is now a U.S.-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on advancing Track II diplomacy through student leadership, education, entrepreneurship, research, and community-building.
Its central idea is simple: relationships built outside official political channels can help create a stronger foundation for future cooperation.
Beyond Formal Diplomacy
Project Dosti brings together students, academics, entrepreneurs, investors, journalists, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and civil society leaders.
Its programs include student-led dialogue, leadership initiatives, academic speaker series, research and publications, entrepreneurship programs, Demo Days connecting founders with investors, and university chapters designed to build lasting communities.
Rather than replacing formal diplomacy, the organization seeks to complement it by creating spaces where the next generation can meet, exchange ideas, and collaborate.
A Major Gathering at Stanford
Project Dosti's inaugural conference at Stanford University brought together more than 650 attendees, 40 speakers, participants from over 20 countries, and representatives from more than 30 U.S. states.
The conference included former heads of government, ambassadors, entrepreneurs, investors, academics, policymakers, healthcare professionals, journalists, and students.
Programming covered diplomacy, education, entrepreneurship, and regional cooperation, along with a student founder Demo Day and venture capital judging.
The broad format reflected Project Dosti's belief that India-Pakistan engagement should extend beyond politics and security into business, education, research, technology, and other areas where people already collaborate.
Building a Global Network
Project Dosti is now working to develop a global network of university chapters focused on sustained dialogue, leadership development, entrepreneurship, research, and community-building.
Its long-term vision is to expand internationally and eventually support similar initiatives within India and Pakistan.
The word
“Dosti” means friendship, and that remains at the heart of the organization.
Project Dosti does not suggest that friendship alone can resolve decades of political differences. Instead, it argues that meaningful cooperation becomes more possible when people have opportunities to know one another, work together, and build trust.
By investing in young leaders today, Project Dosti hopes to help create a future in which India-Pakistan relations are shaped not only by political differences, but also by relationships, shared experiences, and common purpose.