Pune: Comprehensive National Power Is Rooted in Indian Thought, Says Lt Gen Khandare

Pune, 5th July 2025: The Centre for National Security Studies (CNSS) at the Pune International Centre (PIC) held its inaugural event on Friday, themed “Why Comprehensive National Power?”, drawing a distinguished audience of policymakers, defence veterans, scholars, and strategic affairs experts.

The event marked the launch of CNSS as a new initiative under PIC, aimed at deepening policy dialogue on national security, power projection, and India’s strategic future.

Opening Remarks: Reimagining National Security

The session began with a welcome by Dr. Koena Lahiri, Policy Research Associate at PIC, who introduced the theme and significance of CNSS.
Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar, President of PIC, set the tone by stating,
“National security is not merely the absence of threats—it is the presence of confidence. And that confidence stems from strength across all sectors of national life.”

Dr. Vijay Kelkar, Vice President of PIC, also offered his thoughts, highlighting the urgent need to integrate various dimensions of power—economic, technological, and social—into national strategy.

Comprehensive National Power: A Broader Lens
Lt Gen Vinayak Patankar (Retd), convenor of CNSS, provided context to the discussion by emphasizing that Comprehensive National Security is an essential component of the larger framework of Comprehensive National Power (CNP).

The keynote address was delivered by Lt Gen Vinod Khandare (Retd), former Principal Advisor to the Ministry of Defence. In a wide-ranging speech, he explained that true national power is multifaceted, incorporating military capability, economic strength, environmental stability, technological advancement, and societal cohesion.

“Comprehensive National Power is not a foreign concept. It is deeply rooted in India’s own civilisational thinking, dating back to Kautilya’s Arthashastra,” he said.
“We must abandon narrow definitions and recognize that digital security, environmental sustainability, cultural continuity, and economic self-reliance are as important as any military asset.”

Fireside Chat: Defence Reforms and Innovation
In a conversation with Maj Gen Nitin Gadkari (Retd), Director of PIC, Lt Gen Khandare touched upon policy challenges, the progress of defence innovation through initiatives like iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence), and the growing role of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in strengthening India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.

He also called for greater citizen awareness of national security, noting that responsible digital behaviour and support for indigenous technology form the backbone of a resilient nation.

A Vision for Strategic Thought Leadership
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Yash Gupte, Research Associate at CNSS, who reaffirmed the centre’s commitment to fostering a multi-disciplinary approach to national security studies and policy development.

The session ended on a forward-looking note, positioning CNSS as a strategic hub that will support India’s vision for Viksit Bharat 2047, focusing on the pillars of innovation, security, and global leadership.