‘Indian Christian Philosophizing: Thinking Along With and Ahead of Richard De Smet’ is published in honour of the Founder-President of Association of Christian Philosophers of India (ACPI), Prof. Richard De Smet, SJ (1921-1997). The present volume is the fruit of critical and creative reflections presented in a webinar conducted on his twenty-fifth death anniversary in 2023 and subsequent seminars conducted in different Institutes of Philosophy across India in 2024-25, remembering the legacy of the inspiring personality of De Smet, reflecting on his contribution to Indian Christian Philosophizing, through his comparative studies on Thomistic tradition and the Sanakara Advaita Vedanta, involving himself in Ecumenical, Inter-religious dialogue and Inter philosophical encounters. He had been a committed teacher, researcher, guide and friend for most of the members of ACPI. Taking forward his vision for Indian Christian Philosophizing, ACPI has proved itself in continuing his legacy in all its undertakings. The themes chosen for the annual research seminars, twenty-four edited volumes in its annual series and seven other special publications including 2 Vols. Encyclopedia of Philosophy, stand witness to ACPI’s effort in Indian Christian Philosophizing. The ten articles in the present special volume in honour of Richard De Smet, explore his rich heritage of Indian Christian Philosophizing and critically and creatively reflect on ACPI’s challenges and prospects ahead emerging as an Indian Christian School of Socio-Critical Theory in Philosophizing.

Dr. John Peter Vallabadoss, OFM Cap is presently serving as the President of ACPI and since 2009 he has served as its Treasurer and Secretary. He holds his doctorate in Indian Philosophy from Madras University. He has been a Consultant in Philosophy at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). He has served as Registrar of Vijnananilayam Institute of Philosophy and Religion, Eluru, Andhra. He was a visiting faculty at Centre Sevres, Jesuit Faculty in Paris (2018-2023). He is a visiting faculty at Jnana Deepa, Pune. To his credit he has published three books and edited 6 books and published 52 research articles till date. Presently, he is the Director of St. Joseph’s Capuchin Institute of Philosophy at Kotagiri, Tamil Nadu.