<span style='color:red'>Conference on Challenges to National Identity and Security in 21st Century</span>
Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation
July 05-06, 2008
Ashutosh Mookerjee Auditorium,
National Museum,
Chowranghee Kolkata
India's rising political, economic, and military might, her scientific and technological abilities, and entrepreneurial talent, all combine to make her a significant power in the world. Vast tracts of the world were historically deeply influenced by Indian culture and civilization, a truth immortalized by Zimmer in his memorable phrase 'Indian Asia.'
The pulsating vitality of Hindu civilization, its unmatched ability to be contemporary, has helped India march into the modern era with equanimity, carrying an immeasurably diverse populace into a democratic system that, despite odds and failings, strives sincerely to give a meaningful and dignified life to all.
India's very geographical location places her at the cusp of very difficult international crossroads, which impact upon her security, and often place strains upon her economic interests and religious demography. These challenges can only become more acute in coming times. The post Cold War power equations are being rapidly undermined by new emerging economic power equations and alignments, and India is well-placed to seize the opportunity presented by this nascent order, where old friends of the Cold War era are well represented. Missing the bus could certainly adversely affect India's energy security, and hence her economic strengths and emerging Asian power status.
The old international hegemonies are being rapidly undermined by larger historical forces, and nations well advanced on the path of economic decline cannot easily retrieve their declining fortunes. Nations that control natural resources as national (sovereign) rather than as private wealth, are on the right side of history. It is hardly an accident that in ancient India, all mineral wealth belonged to the State. Current narratives that peddle globalization as the only path to the future are already in disrepute.
Co-current with changing international realities are the intensified regional challenges arising from increased instabilities in the neighborhood, and posing a serious politico-security threat to India. The rise of China is self-evident, as is the instability of other neighbouring countries. India's is yet to formulate a cogent response which will determine its status in Asia and the world. Few challenges wither away themselves, and it seems this may have happened with the ill-conceived Indo-US nuclear deal, if only because of domestic compulsions!
The threat posed by terrorism, however, needs to be tackled head-on, at multiple levels, by security agencies, and by society and civilization. Terrorism is not merely a threat to life and property, a breadkdown of law and order, or a challenge to security agencies . It is an intentional insult to the Hindu-centric civilizational ethos of India, which provides honourable space and harmony for all constituent units of society, never aspiring for a dead uniformity, yet seeking unity in the throbbing vitality of diversity.
Calculated, calibrated, and motivated assaults upon this tradition cannot be allowed to succeed. The persistent nature of the challenge, the near-total concentration upon India for jihadi terror (with only stray incidents in other parts of the world), point to a larger gameplan to destabilize the world's only living non-monotheistic tradition. The security challenge is therefore, the least of the challenges, and one our armed forces are fully competent to meet.
Simply put, Indian civilization poses a continuing threat to Monotheistic traditions, and is thus being undermined at multiple levels. The real challenge is in the mind. India has to demonstrate the intellectual vigour to beat back the ideological challenge posed by jihad in all parts of the country, and spreading Maoist and other insurgencies, and more sophisticated and insidious threats from the West, which seeks to coopt India as a junior partner into its own renewed quest for world dominion.
In order to discuss the multiple issues impinging on India's national identity and security, we are organizing a two-day national seminar in Kolkata on 5th and 6th July 2008. The seminar will feature sessions which will seek to comprehensively address major issues and trends in the Indian security context; assess major challenges and suggest creative solutions for shaping policy options in the new century.
Following is an outline of the sessions to be held:
1. Inaugural Session: Challenges to National Identity and Security in 21st Century
2. International Factors Shaping National Identity & Security
- Jihad's Impact on India
3. Regional Security Challenges
- Unstable Neighborhood and Its Politico-Security Consequences
- Maoism in Nepal, HuJI in Bangladesh
- Growing Talibanization of Pakistan
- Dealing with Rising China
4. Emerging National Security Challenges
- Challenges to India's Nuclear Policy
- Nature and Responses to the Threat of Terrorism
- Emerging Military Threats & Defence Policy Options
5. Internal Security Challenges
- Insurgency Movements (Northeast & Kashmir)
- Naxalite menace
6.Concluding Session
Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation
July 05-06, 2008
Ashutosh Mookerjee Auditorium,
National Museum,
Chowranghee Kolkata
India's rising political, economic, and military might, her scientific and technological abilities, and entrepreneurial talent, all combine to make her a significant power in the world. Vast tracts of the world were historically deeply influenced by Indian culture and civilization, a truth immortalized by Zimmer in his memorable phrase 'Indian Asia.'
The pulsating vitality of Hindu civilization, its unmatched ability to be contemporary, has helped India march into the modern era with equanimity, carrying an immeasurably diverse populace into a democratic system that, despite odds and failings, strives sincerely to give a meaningful and dignified life to all.
India's very geographical location places her at the cusp of very difficult international crossroads, which impact upon her security, and often place strains upon her economic interests and religious demography. These challenges can only become more acute in coming times. The post Cold War power equations are being rapidly undermined by new emerging economic power equations and alignments, and India is well-placed to seize the opportunity presented by this nascent order, where old friends of the Cold War era are well represented. Missing the bus could certainly adversely affect India's energy security, and hence her economic strengths and emerging Asian power status.
The old international hegemonies are being rapidly undermined by larger historical forces, and nations well advanced on the path of economic decline cannot easily retrieve their declining fortunes. Nations that control natural resources as national (sovereign) rather than as private wealth, are on the right side of history. It is hardly an accident that in ancient India, all mineral wealth belonged to the State. Current narratives that peddle globalization as the only path to the future are already in disrepute.
Co-current with changing international realities are the intensified regional challenges arising from increased instabilities in the neighborhood, and posing a serious politico-security threat to India. The rise of China is self-evident, as is the instability of other neighbouring countries. India's is yet to formulate a cogent response which will determine its status in Asia and the world. Few challenges wither away themselves, and it seems this may have happened with the ill-conceived Indo-US nuclear deal, if only because of domestic compulsions!
The threat posed by terrorism, however, needs to be tackled head-on, at multiple levels, by security agencies, and by society and civilization. Terrorism is not merely a threat to life and property, a breadkdown of law and order, or a challenge to security agencies . It is an intentional insult to the Hindu-centric civilizational ethos of India, which provides honourable space and harmony for all constituent units of society, never aspiring for a dead uniformity, yet seeking unity in the throbbing vitality of diversity.
Calculated, calibrated, and motivated assaults upon this tradition cannot be allowed to succeed. The persistent nature of the challenge, the near-total concentration upon India for jihadi terror (with only stray incidents in other parts of the world), point to a larger gameplan to destabilize the world's only living non-monotheistic tradition. The security challenge is therefore, the least of the challenges, and one our armed forces are fully competent to meet.
Simply put, Indian civilization poses a continuing threat to Monotheistic traditions, and is thus being undermined at multiple levels. The real challenge is in the mind. India has to demonstrate the intellectual vigour to beat back the ideological challenge posed by jihad in all parts of the country, and spreading Maoist and other insurgencies, and more sophisticated and insidious threats from the West, which seeks to coopt India as a junior partner into its own renewed quest for world dominion.
In order to discuss the multiple issues impinging on India's national identity and security, we are organizing a two-day national seminar in Kolkata on 5th and 6th July 2008. The seminar will feature sessions which will seek to comprehensively address major issues and trends in the Indian security context; assess major challenges and suggest creative solutions for shaping policy options in the new century.
Following is an outline of the sessions to be held:
1. Inaugural Session: Challenges to National Identity and Security in 21st Century
2. International Factors Shaping National Identity & Security
- Jihad's Impact on India
3. Regional Security Challenges
- Unstable Neighborhood and Its Politico-Security Consequences
- Maoism in Nepal, HuJI in Bangladesh
- Growing Talibanization of Pakistan
- Dealing with Rising China
4. Emerging National Security Challenges
- Challenges to India's Nuclear Policy
- Nature and Responses to the Threat of Terrorism
- Emerging Military Threats & Defence Policy Options
5. Internal Security Challenges
- Insurgency Movements (Northeast & Kashmir)
- Naxalite menace
6.Concluding Session