Introduction to India’s Strategic Thinking and its Determinants

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The VIF organized the third series of lectures on India’s national security and strategic culture from 12 to 14 October 2020 in a virtual mode in continuation of the initiative taken in the previous year. The webinar enabled young students, academicians, researchers and professionals from other disciplines to learn the necessary conceptual frameworks and methods of analysis to conduct advanced historical and theoretical research in the field of strategic studies. The webinar was attended by over 40 participants from different walks of life e.g. university students, academicians and researchers from think-tanks etc. In fact, there were a few participants from a foreign country also.

Each day the participants were given presentations on strategic and security issues (two per day) including questions and answers sessions. After Welcome and Opening Remarks by Dr. Arvind Gupta, Director VIF the presentations were given by distinguished speakers as follows:-

(a) 12 Oct 2020: India as a Civilizational State and its Impact on India’s Strategic Outlook & World View by Shri S Gurumurthy, Chairman VIF

(b) 12 Oct 2020: Impact of Covid-19 on Future of Indian Economy & the Way Forward by Dr. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, MP, Vice Chairman, Centre for Economic Studies, VIF

(c) 13 Oct 2020: Covid-19 Pandemic & Climate Change: India’s Response by Dr. Uttam Sinha, Fellow, Institute of Defence Studies & Analysis

(d) 13 Oct 2020: Evolving Challenges for India’ Foreign & Security Policies by Amb. Kanwal Sibal, Former Foreign Secretary, Member Advisory Council, VIF

(e) 14 Oct 2020: Analysing India-China Military Face off & Strategies for Dealing with China by Lt. Gen. Rakesh Sharma (retd.), Former Corps Commander, Ladakh

(f) 14 Oct 2020: Removal of Art. 370, Situation in Jammu & Kashmir & Dealing with Pakistan sponsored Terrorism by Lt. Gen. Ata Hasnain (retd.), Distinguished Fellow, VIF, Member NDMA, former Corps Commander in Kashmir

There was an active interaction between the distinguished speakers and the participants. At the end of the presentations there was a closing session/feedback session where suggestions/recommendations from the participants were sought. Generally, the participants were keen to have more such capsules/workshops as also to have a longer schedule to cover additional topics.