Vivekananda International Foundation | Seeking Harmony in Diversity

Defence Preparedness – A Study Group Report

The purpose of constituting the Study Group on Defence Preparedness was to delve into the issues confronting the nation’s defence preparedness. The focus herein was directed at preservation of the nation’s territorial integrity in the face of China’s persistence in realigning, unilaterally and by the use of military force, the traditional Indo-Tibet Border; the long-continuing military confrontation astride the India-China Line of Actual Control (LAC) is an obvious preliminary to China’s that grand design.

December 22, 2023 VIF Report

VIF-FICCI Homeland Security Conference 2023: Cyber, AI & Data Analytics for Internal Security

There has been much contemplation on the development of new technologies and their role in the progress of our societies. It is widely observed that when a nation is on a progress path with new technologies, the security aspect has been the least considered component during the development of these technologies. As many technologies are like the double-edged sword, they can be used or abused. There is a need for us to switch into the ‘mission’ mode and work towards the management and security of the cyberspace.

October 05, 2023 Event Report

India’s Defence Exports: Recent Trends and the Way Forward

Dr Saroj Bishoyi, Research Fellow, VIF

In a highly competitive international defence market, India has recently made its mark and has huge opportunity to become a significant player. India’s defence exports have reached to an all-time high of approximately ₹16,000crore (US $ 1.94 billion) in the FY 2022-2023, a notable ten-fold increase from the FY 2016–17, when exports were merely ₹1,521 crore (US $ 184.59 million). This is a significant step towards India’s stated goal of exporting ₹35,000 crore (US $ 5 billion) worth of aerospace and defence equipment annually by 2025 and becoming a net defence exporter.

September 16, 2023 Paper

Contemporary Leadership: Challenges and Lessons from Ancient Indian Wisdom

Dr Anurag Jaiswal

Lt. Gen Ajai Kumar Singh, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM

Contemporary leadership is dynamic & constantly evolving which seeks to explore and understand the principles and practices that are necessary for effective leadership in today's rapidly changing world. Present day leadership models and theories have emerged to meet the demands of a complex and unpredictable global environment. In recent years, military and civil landscape across the world has undergone significant transformation.

July 28, 2023 Issue Brief

Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) in the Indo-Pacific and the Way Ahead for Indo-Pacific Partnership for MDA (IPMDA)

AK Chawla (Vice Admiral), PVSM, AVSM, NM, VSM, PhD (Retd.)

Commodore Gopal Suri

… MDA signifies a need for situational awareness at sea, which necessitates being cognisant of the position and intentions of all maritime actors in all dimensions … IPMDA is aimed at curbing maritime free-run in the Indo-Pacific …

July 28, 2023 Issue Brief

Smart Theatre Command : A Pre-requisite for to a Joint Theatre Command

Air Marshal (Dr) Rajeev Sachdeva AVSM (PhD) (Retd)

Abstract Creation of the post of the Chief of Defence Staff and the Department of Military Affairs was a historical moment for the Indian Armed Forces and has infused the Military into National Security Mechanism. Government of India, as of 1st Jan 2020, carved out Allocation of Business (AOB) Rules for the Secretary DMA, directly tasking the CDS to restructure the Military Organisation and create Theatre Commands.

July 21, 2023 Issue Brief

Book Review: Information, Cyber and Space Domain and Its Application in Future Land Warfare, Maj Gen PK Mallick, VSM, KW Publishers Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi (2023), ISBN: 978-93-91490-56-0

Colonel Rajiv Kumar Srivastava

PK Mallick, an Indian Army General, scholar warrior par excellence with his more than two decades of handling specialised domain of Information and Cyber Warfare, has mapped rapid evolution of Information, Cyber and Space aspects of land warfare. Depth of knowledge of PK Mallick makes it easier for the target audience to understand global developments in information and cyber applications in military field.

July 06, 2023 Books/Book Review

Workshop on Bluer, Greener, and Inclusive Growth on the Sundarban through an Ecosystem-based Approach

On 24 May 2023, the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) and the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), in partnership with the World Bank, organized a workshop on “Bluer, Greener, and Inclusive Growth on the Sundarban through an Ecosystem-based Approach.” The workshop was attended by officials from the Government of Bangladesh, Government of India, Government of West Bengal, key think tanks, and civil society organizations. The objectives of the workshop were as follow:

June 19, 2023 Event Report

Indian Armed Forces in 2047: At The Centenary of Independence

Lt Gen Gautam Banerjee, Editor, VIF

The 75th Year of Independence is a milestone in India’s march towards a sovereign dispensation characterised by freedom, peace, and prosperity. In that endeavour, the preservation of territorial sanctity, economic sovereignty and political relevance in a competitive intra- and inter-regional dispensation are major challenges. India’s geographic situation between two compulsively revisionist, aggressive and militarist neighbours adds to the rigours of such challenges.

June 15, 2023 Books/Book Review

Border Disputes with China: An Update

Maj Gen (Dr) Ashok Kumar, VSM (Veteran)

… China has been successful in its hidden agenda of utilising the Indian market for its trade expansion .. and not moving constructively in resolving the border dispute. It’s rare in the world scene where two countries have fought an intense battle .. and yet India still chooses to play into China’s hands… China’s Land Boundary Law is intended to justify conflict escalation with India .. apparent with current events …

June 02, 2023 Issue Brief