Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2023 concludes with takeaways on security challenges

The Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2023, a two-day event hosted by the Indian Army in collaboration with the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), took place on November 3rd and 4th, with a focus on addressing security challenges in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific region. The event featured six different sessions and aimed to foster collaborative security solutions.

Session I – Neighbourhood First; South Asia Prognosis

• Chaired by Ambassador Ashok K Kantha.
• Discussions revolved around future challenges in South Asia.
• Implications of India-China competition and India’s role as a geo-economic growth driver were analyzed.
• Non-traditional security issues like human migration, ethnic divides, resource sharing, and climate change were considered for a prosperous future.

Session II – Indo Pacific; The Decisive Frontier

• Chaired by Former Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba (Retired).
• Examined shifting power dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.
• Highlighted India’s role as an economic powerhouse, China’s influence, and the importance of ASEAN Nations.
• QUAD, a non-military alliance, seen as a successful multilateral organization.

Session III – Collaborative Partnership for Security

• Chaired by Lieutenant General Prakash Menon (Retired).
• Focused on potential security alliances in the Indo-Pacific.
• Emphasized multilateral alignments based on shared interests for the security of smaller nations.
• Highlighted the importance of India-USA relations and the role of the QUAD.

Keynote Address for Day 2

• Ambassador Kanwal Sibal stressed India’s need to maintain strategic autonomy.
• Emphasized maintaining friendly relations with like-minded nations.

Session IV – How Emerging Technology Impact Defence and Security

• Chaired by Prof Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India.
• Explored the impact of emerging technologies, including Space, Cyber Space, AI, and Big Data.
• Discussed India’s preparedness for multi-domain conflicts in the face of global technological advancements.

Session V – Indian Defence Industry as Enabler for Collaborative Capacity Building

• Chaired by Lieutenant General Subrata Saha (Retired).
• Discussed the role of policy frameworks, DRDO, private defense sectors, and MSMEs in enhancing India’s defense capabilities.
• Emphasized the need for India to prepare for future wars with Indian solutions.

Session VI – Comprehensive Deterrence- The India Way

• Chaired by Lieutenant General DS Hooda (Retired).
• Explored India’s unique approach to comprehensive deterrence, considering China’s assertiveness and regional economic downturns.

Closing Remarks

• COAS reiterated India’s commitment to promoting regional stability and prosperity.
• Emphasized the importance of collaborative security and partnership among like-minded nations.
• Noted the complexity of the battle space due to technological advancements.
• Highlighted the progress of the Indian Defense Industry and comprehensive deterrence’s holistic approach.

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