C3S-NMF Annual Security Dialogue 2023

                                                 C3S – NMF ANNUAL SECURITY DIALOGUE – 2023

                                                                                    CONCEPT NOTE

Evolving Strategic Landscape: Positioning India in The Emerging Global Order

Present global order has undergone significant changes in recent years. A retreat from globalisation, the regionalisation of trade, a shifting balance of power, the rise of China and emerging Russia-China bonhomie, and structural China-United States strategic rivalry have shifted the geopolitical and economic centres of gravity from the Atlantic to Asia.

Transformation of India requires strategizing its internal stability, building international relationships for developmental partnerships, and enhancing comprehensive national power (CNP). Over the next decade it is observed by experts that Asia will remain a cockpit for geopolitical rivalries, and although the US remains the most formidable power, its relative power is declining. China sees a window of opportunity, but Beijing’s crowded geography constrains it both on land and at sea. It is expected that her profile and power will continue expanding, particularly on India’s periphery.

Europe continues to be a significant political and economic player in the international arena especially after the Russia-Ukraine crisis. Even though, Europe’s military clout will be contingent on the continuance of the US forces in the support structure of NATO. The US enlisted the cooperation of Japan and the Netherlands to limit the export of sophisticated chip-making equipment to China, as part of the Biden administration's strategy to impede China's military progress by restricting its access to advanced technologies. The EU-China relationship has become a casualty of Russia's war in Ukraine and Beijing's perceived support for Moscow, overshadowing everything else.

In Northeast Asia, the sanctions imposed by the West on Russia following the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the Russia-Ukraine War have compelled Moscow to draw closer to Beijing. Japan is becoming increasingly assertive due to its concerns over China and Russia and is displaying a willingness to play a greater role in international affairs. North Korea being a close ally of China and its recent missile strikes has led an anxious ridden environment in the far east. Taiwan has come under increasing pressure and aggression from Beijing. Due to recent tensions and with an eye on China, the Philippines has moved closer to the US with talks for joint patrols in the South China Sea. The United Nations has been increasingly marginalised and there have been recent renewed calls at organisational reform including that of the UN Security Council.

India’s area of strategic interest extends from the Persian Gulf to the Malacca Straits, and from Central Asia to the Indian Ocean Region including all littorals. Given our size and geostrategic location straddling the Indian Ocean, it is imperative to establish an atmosphere of peace and security to ensure our collective efforts. The Indian Ocean Region's strategic location, in terms of trade routes and maritime security, also presents a variety of shared security challenges, both traditional and non-traditional. West Asia is an area of particular interest and concern to New Delhi especially after the US-brokered rapprochement between Israel and Arab countries and the creation of I2U2. Central Asia has become an arena for power play with the USA, Russia and China trying to assert in one way or another. Central Asian Region has significance for India in terms of sources of energy supplies, and equally importantly as a stabilising influence against Islamic radicalism. South - East Asia is another area of vital interest to India because of the security of the sea lanes of communication, as also the economic agenda. This is a region that is without doubt dominated by China including in groupings such as ASEAN.

In order to determine the role that India could play in the evolving global landscape, it will be necessary to establish a framework based on economic growth, proactive diplomacy, and security. The G20 presidency of India is an opportunity to empower global south and address the challenges faced by the global security environment. The security strategy ought to rest on four indispensable factors: the promotion of an environment conducive to sustainable economic growth, the maintenance of optimal defence capabilities using available resources and technology, effective management of the nuclear dimension, and the cultivation of strategic and technological partnerships.

This security dialogue led by C3S-NMF will address challenges and opportunities to India's security matrix through the lenses of diplomacy, development, and defense. As the world is adrift today. New situations require fresh thinking. The changing dynamics of the present global order require India to take calculated actions. This dialogue will discuss how to broaden India's sphere of influence, strengthen its comprehensive national power, and position itself in the emerging global order.

                                                                        PROGRAMME SCHEDULE

09:00 hrs - Registration

                                                                           INAUGRAL SESSION

09:30 - 09:40 hrs - Welcome Address & Opening Remarks – Commodore R.S Vasan IN (Retd), Director General, C3S & Regional Director National Maritime Foundation (TN Chapter)

09:40 – 10:00 hrs - Inaugural Address – Vice Admiral Pradeep Chauhan AVSM & Bar, VSM (Retd), Director General, National Maritime Foundation (NMF)

10:00 – 10:20 hrs - Keynote Address – Ambassador P.S Raghavan IFS (Retd) Chairman, National Security Advisory Board (NSAB)

10:20 – 10:40 hrs - Patron's Address  Shri B. S Raghavan IAS (retd.) Chief Patron, Chennai Centre for China Studies (C3S)

10:40 – 10:45 hrs - Vote of Thanks – Ms. Sapna Elsa Abraham, Research Officer, C3S

10:45 – 11:00 hrs     Hi - Tea

                                                                                    SESSION I

                                                                    ‘Diplomacy & Development’

                                                Chair: Lt. Gen. Prakash Menon PVSM AVSM VSM

                                                            Chair’s Remarks 11:00 – 11:10 hrs

 

11:10 – 11:25 hrs - Geoeconomics & Global Trends: Options for India – Ambassador (Dr.) Mohan Kumar, Dean/Professor of Diplomatic Practice, O.P.                  Jindal Global University

11:25 – 11:40 hrs - Diplomacy & Partnerships – Dr. N Manoharan, Director, Centre for South East Asian Studies, Christ (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru

11:40 – 11:55 hrs - India’s Extended Geographies & Security – Lt. Gen. PR Shankar PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd.), Former Director General of Artillery

11:55 – 12:20 hrs - Q&A

 

                                                                                 SESSION II

                                    ‘India’s Security Environment: Assessment & Possibilities’

                                                       Chair: Commodore R.S Vasan IN (Retd)

                                                             Chair’s Remarks 12:20 – 12:30

12:30 – 12:45 hrs - The China Challenge – Lt. Gen. SL Narasimhan PVSM, AVSM*, VSM (Retd.), Former Member, National Security Advisory Board (NSAB)

12:45 – 13:00 hrs - India’s Neighbourhood & Evolving Security Dynamics – Maj. Gen G Murali (Retd.), Former Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor, Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai

13:00 – 13:15 hrs - Emerging Traditional & Non-Traditional Challenges for India - Lt. Gen Prakash Menon PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd.), Director of the Strategic Studies Programme, The Takshashila Institution

13:15 – 13:40 hrs - Q&A

13:40 – 14:20 hrs – Lunch

 

                                                                              SESSION III

                                        ‘Global Security Landscape & Prospects for India’

                              Chair: Lt. Gen. SL Narasimhan PVSM, AVSM*, VSM (Retd.)

                                                    Chair’s Remarks 14:20 – 14:30 hrs

14:30 – 14:45 hrs - Role of Academia in National Security Architecture & Policy Formulation - Dr Shailesh Nayak, Director, National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS)

14:45 – 15:00 hrs - Information Operations & Externally Aided Internal Disturbance – Col. S Dinny (Retd.) Defence & Security Analyst

15:00 – 15:15 hrs - Indianness of Indian Ocean Region: Threats & Capabilities – Vice Admiral Anil Kumar Chawla, PVSM, AVSM, NM, VSM, ADC (Retd.), Former Commander in Chief, Southern Naval Command

15:15 – 15:45 hrs - Q&A

 

                                                            VALEDICTORY SESSION

15:45 – 16:05 hrs – Valedictory Address – Ms. Kajari Biswas, Director, Policy Planning & Research Division Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India

16:05 – 16:25 hrs - Special Address: Prof. (Dr.) Gurmeet Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Pondicherry University

16:25 – 16:45 hrs - Special Address - Enhancing India’s Comprehensive National Power & Present-Day Challenges– Rear Admiral S Venkat Raman, VSM, Flag Officer Commanding Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area (FOTNA)

16:45 – 16:55 hrs - Summing up and Vote of thanks – Commodore R.S Vasan IN (Retd)

                                                   

                                                       16:55 hrs – Hi Tea & Disperse

 

                                                     ---- Conference Concludes ----