WORK REPORT ON PANEL DISCUSSION TITLED “SOVEREIGNTY ON TRIAL: US INTERVENTION IN VENEZUELA, AND THE CONTOURS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS”
This report documents the successful conduct of the panel discussion titled “Sovereignty on Trial: US Intervention in Venezuela, and the Contours of International Law & International Relations,” organised as part of the Weekend Lecture Series (WLS) in collaboration with the International Law Students Association (ILSA), NUJS Chapter. The panel discussion was held on 8 February 2026, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, at the WBNUJS Main Campus.
The session was conceived as an academic forum to facilitate critical and interdisciplinary engagement with contemporary debates surrounding state sovereignty, foreign intervention, and the interaction between international law and international relations. Using the case of US intervention in Venezuela as a focal point, the discussion aimed to encourage nuanced analysis of legal doctrines, geopolitical realities, and evolving norms in the international legal order.
Details of the Event
- Title: Sovereignty on Trial: US Intervention in Venezuela, and the Contours of International Law & International Relations
- Date: 8 February 2026
- Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Venue: WBNUJS Main Campus
- Organisers: Weekend Lecture Series (WLS), in collaboration with ILSA, NUJS Chapter
- Format: Panel Discussion
- Panelists:
o Prof. (Dr.) Shibashis Chatterjee
o Prof. (Dr.) T. V. G. N. S. Sudhakar
o Dr. Atul Alexander
o Dr. Vijay Kishor Tiwari
The panel discussion was conducted as scheduled in a structured and orderly manner. Following a brief introduction outlining the theme and objectives of the session, the panelists delivered their opening remarks, situating the question of US intervention in Venezuela within broader frameworks of international law and geopolitics. The discussion engaged with key themes such as the principles of sovereignty and non-intervention, the legality of unilateral sanctions, the role of international and regional institutions, and the interaction between international law, power politics, and international relations theory. The session was effectively moderated, ensuring a balanced exchange of perspectives and meaningful dialogue among the panelists.
The discussion was marked by a high degree of academic rigour and interdisciplinary engagement. The panelists critically examined treaty law, customary international law, state practice, and doctrinal debates, while also contextualising legal arguments within contemporary international relations scholarship. The interactive segment saw active and informed student participation, with questions addressing humanitarian intervention, economic coercion, regime change, and the evolving understanding of sovereignty in a multipolar world. This level of engagement reflected careful preparation and contributed to a substantive academic exchange.
Overall, the panel discussion successfully achieved its academic objectives and proved to be a rewarding learning experience for participants. The event was well-attended, smoothly organised, and positively received, demonstrating the capacity of student-led initiatives to foster serious scholarly engagement with complex international issues. The success of the session highlights the importance of continued institutional support in enabling such initiatives, and the organisers remain committed to organising future events that contribute meaningfully to the academic life of the University.