Pune : Army conducts seminar on emerging security challenges in coastal and peninsular India
Pune, September 3, 2019 : A seminar on ‘Emerging Security Challenges in Coastal and Peninsular India’ was held at Headquarter Southern Command on 03 September 2019 as part of the National Security Lecture Series being undertaken by Pune International Centre (PIC), an independent policy research think tank and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) under “Foreign Policy Outreach Initiative (FPOI)”.
Southern Command responsibility extends over Peninsular India and a series of discussions pertaining specifically to India’s national security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region are being initiated under PIC’s banner. These discussions would act as a harbinger for developing a dynamic platform that would anticipate challenges, develop incisive insights into the future of National Security and craft timely solutions.
The proceedings of the Seminar were opened and moderated by Lieutenant General SS Mehta, Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (Bar), Vishisht Seva Medal (Retd) who emphasised on the importance of having strong defence forces to achieve National Security objectives as also to promote a society having a confluence of civilisation rather than conflict of civilisations.
The inaugural address of the seminar was delivered by Lieutenant General SK Saini, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Yudh Seva Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command in which importance of Southern States in promoting national interests, threats prevailing due to the vast coastline and preventive measures undertaken to thwart nefarious design of inimical elements were elucidated.
A talk on “Rising India & China – Pak Axis” was delivered by Ambassador Gautam Bambawale (Retd), former Indian Higher Commissioner to Bhutan, Pakistan and Indian Ambassador to China wherein, he stressed upon our diplomatic initiatives to enhance the foreign policy objectives in the sub continent having enhanced economic and global significance.
Sapna Tiwari, IPS, Joint Director, Intelligence Bureau (IB) spoke on the topic “Rising Radicalisation and Counter Terrorism Concerns in Peninsular and Coastal India”, covering very pertinent issues on threats of increased radicalisation and measures required to be undertaken by the family, educational institutes and the society to develop religious tolerance between citizens of the largest democracy of the world having a very diverse population.
Such seminars held in the environs of Southern Command, Pune combining the knowledge, experience and wisdom of serving and retired armed forces members will give a fresh perspective to foreign policy issues.
