Shillong, Jul 30: Tiny Tots East Ville Secondary School hosted the second session of its international learning series ‘Passport to the World’.
Dr. Omid Babelian, Second Secretary at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi, engaged 45 students in a dialogue on global affairs, West Asian geopolitics, multilateralism, and India-Iran ties.
Coordinated by Cleric Jayden Wanniang, the virtual session drew participants from MIT Meghalaya, St. Anthony’s College, BSF Secondary School, and Lady Keane College — the highest turnout for the series so far, surpassing the earlier event with the Embassy of Spain.
Dr. Babelian said Iran’s foreign policy rests on “dialogue and resilience,” drawing inspiration from Indian epics like the Mahabharata. He stressed Iran’s commitment to peaceful engagement and its ties with Gulf neighbors, and highlighted the growing role of BRICS and SCO for the Global South.
On diplomacy as a career, he told students to “never confine yourself within national borders.” On India’s ties with both Iran and Israel, he said Iran respects India’s strategic autonomy.
Closing the session, Dr. Babelian urged youth to “build lasting bridges between civilizations” and to stay curious. Students also wrote postcards to the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi.
School Academic Supervisor Bala Syiem said the initiative aims to bring first-hand global perspectives to Shillong’s youth.
