A strategically significant ‘Scholar Centric’ virtual joint global Seminar was organised by Amity University in collaboration with United Service institution of India on “Asian Resurgence: Strategic Rebalancing and New Geo-Political Challenges”, under the dynamic stewardship of Dr Ashok K. Chauhan, Founder President of Amity Education Group.
The Online Joint Global Seminar was planned with exactitude as a ‘PhD Scholar Awareness’ Programme by Amity Institute of Defence & Strategic Studies (AIDSS) under its Director General, Lt Gen (Dr) SK Gadeock, AVSM (Retd).
Delivering the Keynote Address, Chief Guest, H.E. Lt Gen Gurmit Singh PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd), Hon’ble Governor of Uttarakhand and Former Deputy Chief of Army Staff (DCOAS) Indian Army, said, “The theme of the Webinar is very relevant considering the current scenario. There is an urgent need for the reorientation of Strategic Rebalancing to combat the new Geo-Political Challenges. India must understand its self-worth as Geo-Political Challenges will deeply impact India. Disruption by China, Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Sri Lankan crisis and Pakistan’s hostility with India are some of the biggest challenges, therefore it’s important to reassess the strategies in order to overcome the challenges.”
Welcoming the participants, Lt Gen (Dr) SK Gadeock, AVSM (Retd), Director General, Amity Institute of Defence & Strategic Studies, said, “These intellectual defence-oriented strategic Seminars are regularly being organised by AIDSS with the most eminent personalities on its panel, having diverse national and global credentials for ensuring meaningful outcomes, contributing to wisdom on geo-strategic issues and promoting scholastic excellence. The aim of the webinar is to enhance the ‘Awareness Quotient’ of the younger generation on strategic issues and motivate them to improve their ‘Assimilation & Comprehension’ of National Security problems, with its systemic ramifications in perspective. AIDSS endeavors to develop ‘Strategic and Critical Thinking’ skills amongst the students at Amity Universities in India and overseas, deemed as the ‘Future leaders of Tomorrow’.”
Delivering the special address, Maj Gen BK Sharma, AVSM, SM and Bar (Retd), Director, United Service Institution of India, stated, “The United Service Institution of India was founded for ‘furtherance of interest and knowledge in the art, science and literature of the Defence Services.’ We are a 152-year-old, “Think Tank” organization, which works for the enhancement of skill-development of the National Security Command. Asia is hugely populated and represents the bulk of the military economy and has a rich monopoly of civilizations. The VUCA world is saddled with a large number of uncertainties therefore, “Cooperation”, “Competition” and “Confrontation” are required to successfully address the challenges of the new VUCA environment.”
Sharing his views on the occasion, Lt Gen (Dr) Subrata Saha, PVSM, UYSM, YSM, VSM** (Retd), Former Member NSAB and Deputy Chief of Army Staff (DCOAS), said, “India needs to strengthen its ties with Southeast Asian nations and propel the “Aatm Nirbhar Bharat” campaign. Opportunities never arise without challenges; therefore, this is an opportunity for India to get out of the trade imbalance and increase its trade with China and other South Asian countries.”
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Andrew Yang, Secretary General of the Chinese Council of Advanced Policy Studies (CAPS), Taiwan, said, “The end of the Second World War did not signal a return to normalcy; on the contrary, it resulted in a new conflict. The major European powers that had been at the forefront of the international stage in the 1930s were left exhausted and ruined by the war, setting the scene for the emergence of two new global superpowers, Soviet Union and United States. Asia has been facing a resurgence for the last 75 years. The Chinese Civil War between the communists and the nationalists, led to the separation of Taiwan and “Bipolarization”, led by the US and Soviet Union, which contributed immensely to the resurgence.”
In addition, Vice Admiral Satish Soni, PVSM, AVSM, NM (Retd) Former FOC-in-C of Eastern Naval Command, FOC-in-C of Southern Naval Command and Dy Chief of Naval Staff (DCNS), Mr Maroof Raza, Consulting Editor (Strategic Affairs), Times Now, Prof (Dr) Jyoti M Pathania, Founding Editor- ‘Online Indian Journal of Peace and Conflict Resolution’ and Mr Rishan De Silva, Executive Director of the Geopolitical Cartographer and Advisor to the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, also shared their views on the occasion.
The significant Strategic Outcomes were highlighted towards the end of the Webinar with a Vote of Thanks, delivered by Brig Dr AK Tewari (Retd), Professor & Director, AIDSS. The Webinar concluded with a thought-provoking question and answer session where the queries of the participants were answered by the experts. It was attended by faculty, students and PhD Scholars from Amity Universities, Tri Services Institutions, various dignitaries, senior veterans from the Armed Forces and other eminent citizenry from the NCR.