The Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2023, a two-day groundbreaking event steered by the Indian Army in collaboration with the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), concluded on 4th November with takeaways on Security Challenges in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific. The event organised in Manekshaw Centre on 3rd and 4th November, in six different sessions, was centred around the theme, ‘Serving India and Indo Pacific Region- Collaborating for Comprehensive Security’.
The Dialogue, inspired by the sagacity of the ancient strategist Chanakya, unfolded crucial discussions on global and regional security issues with a distinctive emphasis on South Asian and Indo-Pacific security dynamics, a roadmap for collaborative security in the region, optimisation of emerging technologies for defence and security, ways to enhance the collaborative capacity of the Indian defence industry and options for India to achieve comprehensive deterrence.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar graced the occasion and delivered a Special Address on 3rd November 2023. Vice President congratulated the Indian Army for the conception of this ideation forum to dissect contemporary challenges to global security and peace. He expressed confidence that Chanakya Defence Dialogue will turn out to be a well-suited platform for in-depth analyses of security complexities in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific, ultimately paving the way for collective security solutions in the region.
He underscored the paramount importance of achieving and upholding peace through a multifaceted approach, combining ideation, advocacy, outreach, persuasion, and dialogue, while also being vigilant and prepared.
Highlighting the emergence of deep technologies like AI, robotics, quantum, semi-conductors, biotechnology, drones and hypersonic,Vice-President stressed that “Prowess and mastery of these domains will determine the strategic haves and have-nots of the future”.
General Manoj Pandey, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), delivered a plenary address. The COAS mentioned that the unprecedented churn in the global landscape has set into motion a chain of events and new trend lines. He said that the technology is driving geo-politics like never before and emerging as a new strategic arena of geo-political competition.
He highlighted that India’s resolve, resilience and diverse capacities were put through a severe test during the Pandemic and our nation rode the storm well.
He also mentioned that India’s defence cooperation outreach is being enhanced. Highlighting the importance of military diplomacy in India’s multilateral engagement efforts, he remarked that the scope and scale of joint exercises with friendly foreign partner nations have been enhanced. He iterated the national resolve to achieve self-reliance in defence hardware, that is being enabled by a resurgent Indian Defence Industry.
Vijay K Gokhale highlighted ongoing transitions in the world. He mentioned that global balance is now shifting from West to East. He also highlighted the role of technology in empowering all equally, which does not remain exclusive to the West anymore. He remarked that India needs to play a leading role in the emerging world order and for that, India has to work closely with all including USA and China.
India, with its rich heritage and futuristic vision, stands resilient and welcoming, ready to play a pivotal role in the comity of nations towards collective security and prosperity in the region, near and far.