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Vivek : Issues & Options

May 2013
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  • Visit of Delegation from RCDS, UK to VIF
    May 14 2013

    A 20 member delegation from the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) visited the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) on 14 May, 2013 for a Round Table Discussion that covered a wide range of issues. The RCDS delegation was led by Air Commodore (Retd) S Abbott. Welcoming the guests Lt Gen (Retd) Ravi Sawhney talked about his time spent in RCDS and how much he cherished the memories of his association with the RCDS.

  • Interaction with an Academic Delegation from Taiwan
    May 2 2013

    On 02 May 2013, VIF hosted an interaction session with a delegation from Taiwan. Indo-Taiwan relations, Taiwan-China relations, Indo-China relations, and the US policy of rebalancing in Asia were some of the agendas for discussion. The session was chaired by Lt. Gen. (retd) R K Sawhney, Distinguished Fellow VIF, who welcomed the Taiwanese delegation and laid out the structure that the session was to follow. Taiwanese delegation consisting of seven members was led by Dr. Liu Fu Kuo, National Chengchi University, Taiwan.

  • Political Assertion of Radical Forces in Bangladesh: Impact & Implications for India
    Apr 28 2013

    On 28 April 2013, VIF welcomed Gen. (retd) Shankar Roychowdhury PVSM, AVSM former Chief of the Indian Army, Amb. Satish Chandra, former Deputy National Security Advisor in the Chair, Shri DC Nath, President Patriots Forum and Shri Vikramjeet Banerjee, advocate Supreme Court of India, as key speakers for a highly engaging discussion on ‘Political Assertion of Radical Forces in Bangladesh: Impact and Implications for India’. Shri Ajit Doval KC, Director VIF, welcomed the distinguished audience and speakers, and pitched critical questions which needed to be addressed.

  • Round Table Discussion on Chinese Intrusion in Ladakh
    Apr 26 2013

    A meeting to discuss the implications of the Chinese intrusion in Ladakh was held at the VIF on 26 April 2013. Gen NC Vij, former COAS briefed a select group of former diplomats and Army officers on the issue. Among those present included Mr Ajit Doval, KC, Director VIF, Ambassador Kanwal Sibal, Ambassador Rajiv Sikri, Lt Gen RK Sawhney (Retd), Brig Vinod Anand (Retd) and Brig Gurmeet Kanwal (Retd). Gen Vij began by situating the location of the intrusion and terrain configuration of the general area.

  • Seminar on Refugees In Their Own Homeland : Travails of Kashmiri Pandits
    Apr 20 2013

    A seminar was organized jointly by Vivekananda International Foundation and Patriots’ Forum in the VIF Conference Hall at New Delhi, on 20th April 2013, on the subject ‘ Refugees In Their Own Homeland :Travails Of Kashmiri Pandits ‘.

  • Interaction on Evolving Situation in Afghanistan
    Apr 18 2013

    On 18 April 2013, Mr. Shaida Mohammad Abdali, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to India interacted with members of the VIF faculty on contemporary developments in Afghanistan. He spoke on the ongoing political, security and economic transition. He gave his perspective on reconciliation efforts with the Taliban. He also covered the interests and its manifestations of its neighbours. The VIF faculty highlighted the Indian interests and objectives in Afghanistan and the developmental efforts which have won popular support.

  • Interaction on Situation in Pakistan and Regional Security
    Apr 17 2013

    A delegation led by Ambassador Richard Oslon, US Ambassador to Pakistan visited VIF on 17 April 2013. The delegation interacted with members of the faculty led by Shri Ajit Doval, KC, Director VIF on recent occurrences in Pakistan and the overall security situation in the region. The US ambassador also touched upon some aspects of US perspective on evolving situation Afghanistan.

  • Interaction on Indo-Israeli Cooperation Prospects and Issues
    Mar 29 2013

    On 29 March 2013, VIF welcomed Ambassador Alon Ushpiz, Israeli Ambassador to India, and the delegation from Galilee International Management Institute (GIMI), Israel for an interaction on Indo-Israeli cooperation. The session was chaired by Ambassador P. P. Shukla, Joint Director VIF, who introduced Amb Ushpiz, welcomed Lt. Gen (retd) JFR Jacob, one of the Indian War Heroes, and pitched the agenda for discussion.

  • Joint VIF – GIMI, Seminar on Response to Terrorism and Situation in West Asia
    Mar 28 2013

    On 28 March 2013, VIF welcomed a delegation from the Galilee International Management Institute (GIMI), Israel for a seminar on Response to Terrorism and Situation in West Asia. The seminar began with opening remarks given by Ambassador P. P. Shukla, Joint Director VIF and Maj. Gen (retd) Dr. Baruch Levy, GIMI. The Seminar was divided into four sessions with specific focus on “Global Terrorism: Response”, “Arab Spring: Implications and Ramifications”, “Af-Pak Post-2014 Scenario: Global and Regional Implications”, and “Geopolitics and Iran”.

    Session I- Global Terrorism: Response

  • Interaction with members of Goodwill Delegation from China Association for International Friendly Contacts (CAIFC)
    Mar 18 2013

    On 18th March 2013, VIF team led by Ambassador P.P. Shukla interacted with members of Goodwill Delegation from the China Association of International Friendly Contacts (CAIFC). The VIF team included Sandhya Jain, Prof. Makkhan Lal, and Prof. Kapil Kumar as key speakers, while the CAIFC Team was led by Mr. Xu Jialu, Senior Advisor to CAIFC, and included Mr. Xin Qi, Vice-President CAIFC, and Mr. Tian Wei, as key speakers.

  • Vimarsha: “Decolonising the Indian Mind”
    Mar 16 2013

    On 16 March 2013, VIF welcomed Prof. Kapil Kapoor, former Pro-Vice Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University and Editor in Chief of the Encyclopedia of Hinduism, as the guest speaker on its Vimarsha series of talks by eminent persons. Mr. Ajit Doval KC, Director VIF, stated that “Minds” will be the future tools of establishing control and therefore it is very important to understand how colonised the Indian mind today is. More daunting is the task of “Decolonising the Indian Mind” – precisely the subject on which Prof. Kapoor was going to deliberate upon during his talk.

  • Interaction of VIF Delegation with China Institute for International Strategic Studies at Beijing
    Mar 15 2013

    A VIF delegation led by Mr. Ajit Doval and comprising of Gen. (Retd.) NC Vij, Amb. PP Shukla, Lt. Gen. Ravi Sawhney and Brig (Retd.) Vinod Anand visited China Institute for International Strategic Studies at Beijing on 15th March 2013 and interacted with their faculty. The topics discussed were Sino-Indian relations and the emerging scenario in Afghanistan.

  • VIF Delegation Visits Beijing for Seminar on “Afghanistan Post 2014; Perspectives from the Region”
    Mar 13 2013

    A five member VIF delegation led by Mr. Ajit Doval and comprising of Amb. PP Shukla, Gen. (Retd.) NC Vij, Lt.Gen. (Retd.) Ravi Sawhney and Brig. (Retd.) Vinod Anand visited Beijing from 13 to 15 March 2013 to participate in a seminar and interact with some of the think tanks of China.

  • Vimarsha: Security Implications of Contemporary Political Environment in India
    Feb 22 2013

    Implication of the contemporary political environment in India on matters of national security is critically important, considering all the three factors of internal stability, rule of law and the larger geo-politics of the Indian Sub-continent. For a better understanding and assessment of the ground realities, Dr. Sudhir S. Bloeria, Vice Chancellor of the Central University of Jammu & Kashmir and Former Chief Secretary of Jammu & Kashmir, delivered a talk on 22 February 2013 in VIF’s monthly series of talks, Vimarsha.

  • Vimarsha: 'Swami Vivekananda on Women: Meeting the Contemporary Challenges'
    Jan 28 2013

    With the gruesome Delhi gang-rape of last December shaking up the conscience of this very nation, also providing a strong stimulus for course correction measures, a talk on 'Swami Vivekananda on Women: Meeting the Contemporary Challenges' was organized by Vivekananda International Foundation on January 28, 2013, with Shri Dhanendra Kumar, former Secretary Culture, Govt. of India and former Executive Director World Bank as the chief speaker.

  • Interaction with Mr. Gordon Chang on “The Coming Collapse of China and What It Means for India”
    Jan 8 2013

    On 8th January 2013, the VIF welcomed Mr. Gordon G. Chang, a China expert, lawyer and a renowned author from the US, to speak on “The Coming Collapse of China and What It Means for India”.

  • Interaction with CIISS on Political Change Over in China
    Dec 19 2012

    A five-member delegation from the CIISS (China Institute for International Strategic Studies), a think tank with strong military background, visited the Foundation on December 19, 2012 for an exchange of views with a select panel of VIF scholars and experts focusing specifically on the political change over in China, but also going over the entire gamut of bilateral issues.

  • VIF-RUSI-CICIR International Seminar on “Afghanistan Post - 2014 : Perspectives from the Region”
    Nov 30 2012

    Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) organised a Seminar on “Afghanistan Post 2014- Perspectives from the Region” on 30th Nov 2012, in which experts from RUSI (Royal United Services Institute), CICIR (China Institute of Contemporary International Relations) and VIF took part. Mr Alexander Neill along with Mr Mathew Willis represented the RUSI, while the delegation from CICIR was led by their Vice President Dr. Feng Zhongping along with Dr. Hu Shisheng, Dr. Fu Xiaoqiang, Dr. Wang Shida and Mr. Han Liqun. From the VIF’s side, Joint Director,VIF, Amb. P. P.

  • Vimarsha on “Transition in America and China: Implications for India”
    Nov 27 2012

    On 27th November 2012, distinguished personalities assembled at the VIF auditorium to attend its monthly series of talks by eminent persons, Vimarsha. This month’s Vimarsha talk was given by Amb. Prabhat P Shukla, former Ambassador to Russia, who is also the Joint Director of the VIF. Ambassador Shukla made a presentation on “Transition in America and China: Implications for India”. The session began with a brief introduction from Mr. Ajit Doval, KC, Director of the VIF on the topic.

    Transition in the US

  • Interaction with the Cross-Straits Interflow Prospect Foundation
    Oct 31 2012

    On 31st October 2012, the Vivekananda International Foundation organized an interactive session with the Cross-Straits Interflow Prospect Foundation from Taiwan. The Prospect Foundation was represented by their President Mr. Kuang Chung Liu, Vice-President Mr. Yang-Ming Sun, Dr. Tuan-Yao Cheng, Ms. Tsun-Tzu Hsu, Mr. Shih-Wei Yao and Ms. Yu-Chen Chung.

  • National Security: Challenges and Responses
    Sep 24 2012

    The former Army Chief General (retd) VK Singh, addressed a distinguished gathering at the VIF’s monthly Vimarsha series of talks by eminent persons, held on 24 September, 2012. He enlightened the audience about the broad spectrum of security challenges currently facing India, through a stimulating yet incisive talk, captioned ‘National Security: Challenges and Responses’.

  • Interaction with Dr. Ing-Wen Tsai, Former Chairperson, DPP, Taiwan
    Sep 20 2012

    On 20th September 2012, Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) hosted an interaction with Dr. Ing-Wen Tsai, former Chairperson of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Taiwan and Presidential Candidate from the DPP in January 2012. Dr. Tsai was accompanied by Mr. Antonio Chiang, columnist and former Deputy Director, National Security Council, Taiwan. H.E. Wenchyi Ong, Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre in India was also present on the occasion.

  • Interaction with Mr. Jon B. Alterman, Director Middle East Programme at CSIS
    Sep 5 2012

    Mr. Jon B. Alterman, who holds the Zbigniew Brezezinski Chair for global security and geostrategy and is Director of the Middle East Programme at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), visited the Foundation on September 05, 2012 for an informal interaction with a select group of security analysts and foreign policy specialists who are currently on the panel of VIF. The interaction primarily focused on the ‘Implications of US Rebalancing Strategy in Asia, in general, and West Asia, in particular’.

  • Seminar on Strategic Posture: Sino-Indian Border
    Sep 5 2012

    The VIF held a Seminar on “Strategic Posture: Sino-Indian Border” on 3rd September 2012. Eminent speakers with practical experience on the subject made presentations on specific themes. While China’s Strategic Posture in Tibet, Infrastructure Development in Tibet, Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, PLA Air Forces Posture in Tibet were the themes discussed in Session I; Session II dealt with PLA’s Posture in Tibet, Situation in Ladakh/Aksai Chin and the Situation along the MacMohan Line.

  • Seminar on Perspectives from China on Af-Pak Situation and Counter Terrorism
    Aug 29 2012

    A one day conference on Af-Pak Situation and Counter Terrorism was organised by the VIF on 29th August. Scholars and experts from China gave out their perspectives on the evolving situation in Af-Pak region and their approach to counter-terrorism. Professor Li Jian, Vice President of China West Normal University, Sichuan spoke on ‘SCO and Af- Pak Security Environment’ while Dr. Zhang Jiadong, Assisstant Director of Center for American Studies, Fudan University spoke on China’s approach to counter-terrorism. In the second session Dr.

  • The Role of Diaspora in India’s Foreign Policy, National Security and Economic Development
    Jul 31 2012

    The Vimarsha series of monthly talks was held on Jul 31, 2012, with Ambassador J.C. Sharma, S.M. IFS (retd), former Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs & former Member Secretary, High Level Committee on the India Diaspora, set up by the Government of India, delivering an insightful talk on the ‘Role of the Indian Diaspora in India’s Foreign Policy, National Security and Economic Development’.

  • Vimarsha: Scientific Dating of the Ancient Events from 2000 to 7000 B.C
    Jun 29 2012

    Vimarsha - VIF’s monthly series of talks - was held on Jun 29, 2012. Ms Saroj Bala, Member - Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction, Ministry of Finance – Govt. of India & Director - Institute of Scientific Research on Vedas, gave an insightful talk on ‘Scientific Dating of Ancient Events from 2000 to 7000 BC. She argued that scientifically it is possible to ascertain the exact dates of events which are mentioned in Vedas, epics and other ancient books.

  • An Interaction on ‘Indo-US Relations: Global Partnership”
    Jun 28 2012

    On Jun 28, 2012, a group of eminent security experts held an intense and wide ranging interaction with Mr. Jason Issacson, Director of Government and International affairs at the American Jewish Committee in Washington.

  • An Interaction with the Australian High Commissioner, HE Mr. Peter N Varghese on ‘Australia-India Strategic Partnership in an Asian Century”
    Jun 27 2012

    The Australian High Commissioner HE Mr. Peter N Varghese visited Vivekananda International Foundation on 27 June 2012 for an interaction on “Australia-India Strategic Partnership in an Asian Century”. The VIF faculty was represented by Mr. Ajit Doval, Amb. PP Shukla, Lt. Gen. Ravi Sawhney and specially invited select strategic analysts and experts. Highlighting the history of Australia India relationship the High Commissioner said that the interests of Australia and India are now converging, providing an opportunity to build a strategic partnership.

  • Round Table Discussion with An American Delegation
    May 18 2012

    The Vivekananda International Foundation held a Round Table meeting with a U.S. delegation led by Dr. Peter R. Lavoy, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs of the U.S Administration on May 18, 2012. Mr. Frank J. Ruggiero, Senior Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan was a member of the delegation who participated in the deliberations. The interactive dialogue focused on the future of the Af-Pak region and the prospective role that India and U.S. could engage in this part of South Asia.