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Archive of Events

Roundtable Discussion
Post-war Developments in Sri Lanka
May 3, 2010

Though the war is over the conflict still persists. Residual effects and related problems of the three decade civil war still looms large over the Sri Lankan Government. Post war efforts of Sri Lanka are keenly observed by the International Community.  CSA organized  a roundtable discussion with Ambassador Jon Westborg, Special Envoy –South Asia, Norwegian Ministry for Foreign Affairs .He was former Ambassador to Sri Lanka (1996-2003), and former Ambassador to India (2003-2007). While the discourse on conflict resolution in Sri Lanka remains narrowly focused on political devolution, he emphasized on a broader and more integrated approach to conflict resolution. He also stressed on the transformation of the Sri Lankan Diaspora into agents of development and called for a multi-pronged strategy involving the international community, the Sri Lankan government, private enterprise and civil society. He acknowledged that resettling of the IDPs continues to be a major challenge for the Sri Lankan Government. Amb Westborg outlined Norway’s interest in engaging India and Sri Lanka for a stable world order and also enhancing the economic ties between them. He briefly touched upon the Chinese interest in Sri Lanka which he said was more of strategic than economic. He reiterated Norway’s support to India’s stand on the expansion of UN Security Council and the permanent seat in the UNSC.

Mr N Sathiyamoorthy (Director, ORF Chennai Chapter) chaired and moderated the discussion.

 

Roundtable Discussion
European Security Perspectives
April 16, 2010

Mr Charles Grant is the founder and Director  of the Centre for European Reform (CER) United Kingdom, an independent think-tank that works on the future of the EU, including its economic policy, foreign and security policy, co-operation on justice and home affairs, and institutions. His areas of interest are EU’s foreign and defence policy, transatlantic relations, Russia, China, the future of Europe debate and the euro. He is the author of many CER publications, including, most recently, Preparing for the multipolar world: European foreign and security policy in 2020 (2007); Can Europe and China shape a new world order? (2008); Is Europe doomed to fail as a power? (2009); and Cameron’s Europe: can the Conservatives achieve their EU objectives? (2009). 

Mr Charles Grant opened the discussion by recalling as to how the European Union could manage to remain out of the shadow of recent Economic crisis. He credited this to the strong and stringent fiscal policies of the member countries.  He also gave a brief overview of the internal tensions within the member states of EU, as to how member states have different perspectives on the global security issues and also on the immediate neighbor hood. Though EU is moving closer to a Common Security and Defence Policy, still does not have a genuine common foreign policy. Lack of political will is often considered to be the main cause. EU-NATO relations were also touched upon and the differences among the member states on the deployment of the peacekeeping forces in conflict areas were discussed in brief. Economic and trade relations between EU–India have gained momentum,  however, he stressed on better political engagement between the two. He also pointed out the possible areas of cooperation in climate change, global governance, intelligence sharing and counter terrorism activities. Charles Grant raised the question as to why India is not taking proactive steps and not involving fully on various global issues. During the discussion, it emerged that there seems to be a perception that the Government of India appeared to be moving cautiously on sensitive issues and involving progressively to the extent of defending its commitment. 

Talk by Lt. Gen (Retd) V. R Raghavan on "New Emphasis on Internal Security” at CII on Friday 29th January 2010. 

Confederation of Indian Industry, Southern Region (CII, SR) organized a two day seminar on the subject “Advanced Technologies in Security Systems- Securing Business and Beyond”. Lt. Gen Raghavan, President, CSA was invited to chair the first session and also to present a paper. He presented a paper “New Emphasis on Internal Security”.  In his talk he covered the enhanced emphasis on internal security in the Indian Security discourse. Since independence Indian security perceptions were dominated by external military threats. The end of the cold war witnessed a change in the nature of external military threats. India’s economic growth and its status have made it into the dominant power in South Asia. On the other hand international terrorism with its global network is now capable of striking at almost all countries. Within India, the threat from Naxal and Maoist forces has grown exponentially. These threats have been characterized by the Indian Prime Minister as the most serious national security threat. Internal security has therefore become the dominant strategic discourse in India. Mr Rothin Bhattacharyya, Chairman, CII SR, after the conference thanked Lt Gen Raghavan for chairing the session and commended his speech as “….. extraordinary and well received by the audience”.  

 

 

Talk by Lt Gen (Retd) V.R Raghavan on “Changing Perceptions of Security” at ORF Chennai Chapter on  Saturday 23rd  January 2010

In his presentation, Lt Gen Raghavan touched on the shift in focus from nation-centric traditional security to more comprehensive citizen- centric, non traditional security - the well being and betterment of the human life. Traditionally, security has been defined in geo-political terms and confined to relationships among nation-states, dealing with the balance of power and military strategy. On the hand, individuals, families, and communities are threatened by a variety of factors in addition to military security, and these other factors such as food , energy , environment, economic, information technology are often more significant to them than traditional military security.

 

The traditional concept of security was always in the centre stage in international politics. Since September 11, 2001, non traditional security has become dominant and an inseparable part of security studies in the new millennium. The new type of security concerns stem from growing empowerment of non- state actors, such as separatist movements, religious cults, extremists and insurgents. Internal conflicts/civil wars enmesh neighbouring states in form of cross border migration and support to insurgents. Many of these challenges have implications on national security.

Roundtable Discussion
Review of British Strategy in Afghanistan
Current Political Developments in Sri Lanka
December 2, 2009 

Since the Obama Administration took office in early 2009, there have been several discussions and debates about the new administration's approach towards Afghanistan and the region's security and  what steps key US allies such as the United Kingdom will take. Against the backdrop of the steadily diminishing legitimacy of the Afghanistan government, increasing corruption and the unpopularity of  the Western military presence within NATO countries, the strategies of the US and the UK have been viewed critically by several scholars and strategic thinkers. CSA held a roundtable discussion with Mr. Nigel Casey, the British Deputy High Commissioner in Delhi and Mr. Mike Nithaviranakis, the British Deputy High Commissioner in Southern India on December 2, 2009. The diplomats discussed the situation in Afghanistan and UK's approach to the changing security environment and the challenges ahead in the region. The select audience at the discussion also had the opportunity to listen to Mr. N. Sathiyamoorthy's  (Director, ORF Chennai Chapter) review and assessment of the political developments in Sri Lanka. 

 

Public Lecture
The Obama Administration: New Faces, Debates and Trends in US Foreign Policy
October 15, 2009

"The Obama Administration is continuing the Bush Administration’s focus on a good relationship with India, as well as China, in recognition of the shift in economic dynamics toward Asia."  noted Dr. Rodney Jones, who is a Program Officer for USIP, Washington DC. Talking at a Public Lecture titled "The Obama Administration: New Faces, Debates and Trends in the U.S. Foreign Policy" organized by CSA and U.S. Consulate General, Chennai on Thursday, October 15, 2009, Dr Jones, discussed the US Af-Pak strategy. He felt that the US should not appear to be dithering in its strategy as it would "essentially (encourage) your enemies to work harder against you”  dismissed concerns about the willingness of the Obama Administration  to uphold the Indo-U.S. Nuclear Deal and said that it will be implemented in its entirety, without any dilution.  Mr R. Swaminathan, IPS (Retd), President and DG, International Institute of Security and Safety Management, New Delhi gave an Indian perspective on Obama’s foreign policy. He noted that due to the new Presidency in the US and its change in approach towards war and international security issues, peoples and governments around the world were feeling better about the US and its President. However, the US sponsorship of the UNSC Resolution seeking to dilute the terms of the bilateral US-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation agreement raised doubts about the credibility of the bilateral agreements signed by the US. He stressed on the commonalities and convergence of interest between US and India and noted that this relationship can flourish irrespective of requirements imposed by their respective relations with China and Pakistan.

National Seminar
Role of Military and Militancy in Sri Lanka and Implications for India
July 7, 2009

Lt. Gen. (Retd.) V. R. Raghavan, President CSA, recently made a presentation on the “Role of Military and Militancy in Sri Lanka and Implications for India” at a seminar titled  “Post-War Sri Lanka and India’s Role” organised by the  Observer Research Foundation-Chennai Chapter in association with the Department of International Studies, Stella Maris College (Autonomous) on July 7, 2009 in Chennai. As a professional soldier, Gen Raghavan expressed his admiration for the short span of time in which the Sri Lankan Army had expanded considerably and trained in professionalism and leadership to enable it to take on one of the most well organized and trained guerrilla forces in the world. With the help of map slides, he highlighted the deployment of a number of divisions and task forces that led to winning the war. He also gave his assessment of the future deployment of army in various garrisons to ensure security. Gen. Raghavan noted that the army’s role in the war could now lead it to be an important power centre in national decision making. He raised caution over the huge costs of maintaining a huge army and concluded with a note on the future of civil-military relations in Sri Lanka.  The seminar was attended by the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka for India, H.E. C Romesh Jayasinghe, and the Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka for Southern India, Mr. P M Amza, along with other dignitaries. For the text of the Sri Lankan High Commissioner’s speech please click here. Read about the event on the The Hindu dated 8th July 2009

Roundtable Discussion
South Asia Regional Security : Perspectives from Washington D.C
19 June 2009

“The cooperative instinct and defense relations between India and the US are far greater than they were ever before” said Prof. James Clad at a Roundtable Discussion at CSA on June 19, 2009. Speaking on “South Asian Regional Security: Perspectives from Washington D.C”, Prof. Clad spoke at length about US-India relations. He noted that engaging India and improving US- India relations is a left over business from the Cold War period and there is a lot of ‘catch up’ that is waiting to be done. “The precautionary note for the US, as this relationship broadens is to respect the truly democratic nature of decision making in India”. He urged that US decision makers should not just concentrate on perspectives from South Block but also interact with officials, politicians, academics and scholars from other regions of the country. In the interactions that led to a candid discussion on US military aid to Pakistan and its policy towards Afghanistan.  Prof. Clad noted that the rise of china’s influence and its broadly successful diplomacy was of great interest not only to the US but also to countries in the Southeast Asia and Australia. The discussions then veered towards Iran, North Korea and Sri Lanka.

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President CSA invited to Conference by Scottish Parliament
16 April 2009

President of CSA, Lt. Gen. (Retd) V. R. Raghavan, Advisor to the International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament was invited for a Conference by the Scottish Parliament at Edinburgh to deliver a talk on India’s View of the Future of NPT. Apart from ministers and members of the Scottish Parliament, diplomats from various countries also attended the Conference. Click here to read Gen. Raghavan’s Paper.

Upgrading International Studies in India
25-26 March 2009

Dr. W. Lawrence. S. Prabhakar participated in an International Workshop on Upgrading International Studies in India on 25-26 March 2009 in Singapore co-organized by the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Singapore and Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi as Discussant for the paper presented by Prof. Kanti Bajpai on Obstacles to Good Work in IR.  Dr. Prabhakar’s comments can be accessed here.

RNSSC Working Group Meetings
March 2009

The Centre for Security Analysis is one of the two think tanks from India selected by the Near East South Asia Center of the National Defense University, Washington D.C., USA to carry out Strategic/ Security studies and to regularly interact with select think tanks from the Near-East and South Asian region. 

This Regional Network of Strategic Studies Centers has set up four working groups, viz,   

  1. Combating Terrorism
  2. WMD and Border Security
  3. Democratization and Governance
  4. Non-Traditional Security

The CSA is represented by Dr. Geeta Madhavan. Dr. W. Lawrence. S. Prabhakar, Mr. K. V. Krishnaswamy and Brig. (Retd) K. Srinivasan respectively in these working groups. 

Two working groups, on Combating Terrorism and WMD and Border Security met in Istanbul, Turkey in March 2009. Dr. Geeta Madhavan made a presentation on Legal Responses to Terrorism in India. The thrust of her paper was to highlight the various legislations that were enacted in India to deal with terrorist activities in the country. She also analyzed the lacunae in the legislation and the reasons for the repeal of these Acts. The paper discussed the need for urgent and stronger legislation which would eschew the flaws that had rendered the earlier acts incompatible with human rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. Dr. Geeta also discussed the latest amendments to legislations which were the result of the Mumbai attack that had taken place on 26 November 2008. 


Dr. Geeta Madhavan (extreme left) with other members of the working group on Combating Terrorism

The abstract of Dr. Lawrence Prabhakar’s presentation on India’s Stakeholdership in Nuclear Nonproliferation: Issues and Perspective can be accessed here. 

Another Article by Dr. Madhavan

In June 2008, Dr. Geeta Madhavan presented a paper on Regional Cooperation and Legal Issues at a Joint seminar on Terrorism in South and Southeast Asia in the Coming Decade organized by Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) and CSA at Singapore. The article was first published in Terrorism in South and Southeast Asia in the Coming Decade edited by Daljit Singh (2009) and is reproduced here with the kind permission of the publisher, ISEAS, Singapore

To read more from Dr. Madhavan visit our Articles page.

Also read an article "Guide to Safer India" by Brig.(Retd) K. Srinivasan, Establishment Director, CSA published in the Mumbai based magazine One India One People. The article is reproduced here with the kind permission of the publishers.

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International Seminar
Emerging Challenges to Energy Security in the Asia Pacific
March 16-17, 2009

The financial crisis has temporarily slowed the pace of economic growth and development in much of Asia, but it has not fundamentally altered projections for Asia’s future energy needs. Long-term energy demand growth for the region is expected to surpass its own installed capacity. Eventually the region will be the dominant consumer of the world’s energy supplies. The Asia-Pacific region, led by China and India, will represent the world’s largest energy market in the next decade. The current energy mix in the region is determined by balancing its endowment of energy resources with policies which encourage diversification of supply, development of strategic reserves, ongoing research for new domestic sources and new commercial approaches to overcoming constraints.  Given Asia’s prevailing energy consumption patterns, understanding the structure of its energy mix today and for the future is a useful basis from which to assess strategic considerations regarding energy security. Given this scenario, the Centre for Security Analysis in collaboration with the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore organized an International Seminar “Emerging Challenges to Energy Security in the Asia Pacific” on 16-17 March 2009. The themes addressed at the seminar included the global trends of energy consumption, geopolitics of energy security, supply chain security, and the potential for alternative sources of energy including nuclear energy in the region. The participants included experts from the academia, policy consultants as well as the energy industry. The proceedings of the seminar will be published shortly as an edited volume. Click here to access the programme, biodata of speakers and abstracts of papers.

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Guest Lecture
India as a Superpower
February 27, 2009

CSA organised a Guest Lecture by Mr. M. R. Sivaraman, Former Executive Director, International Monetary Fund on the subject "India as  Superpower". Mr. Sivaraman outlined the features of a superpower and quoted  Prof. Alice Lymen Miller's definition of a superpower as a country that has the capability to project dominating power and influence anywhere in the world and sometimes in more than one region of the globe at the same time. It has four axes namely, military, political, economic and cultural. Mr. Sivaraman then dwelled upon the need for a superpower in an economically interdependent world. Laying this background to the concept of a superpower, he then discussed where India stands as a superpower. He noted that  India has a long way to go before it could claim being a superpower. In explaining this point he drew examples from India's power sector, its literary standards, health and sanitation conditions, the position of its military as well as its defence expenditure in comparison to other countries. He then noted that India should be very clear about its long term goals and suggested the ways and means by which India can be an important player in the international scenario and command respect in the comity of nations. Click here to view his Powerpoint presentation.

Panel Discussion
Nuclear Deterrence and Disarmament
February 2, 2009

Deterrence and Disarmament have been two separate discourses and seemingly contradictory themes. While deterrence was the voice of the powerful, disarmament was considered as the voice of the weak. For many decades it was believed that disarmament reduced the deterrence capability. But today, the phrase 'disarmament' is regaining in resonance. In the 21st century, although the challenge of a strategic confrontation between powers of the world remains, there is no question of nuclear confrontation. There is a realization that deterrence based purely on nuclear weapons will not produce desired results in the face of the challenge posed by non-state actors. How is this resonance of disarmament affecting deterrence? How is disarmament itself gaining importance? Is it the weakening of deterrence that has led to the resonance of disarmament? Can the two seemingly contradictory themes of disarmament and deterrence go together or is it an ‘either-or’ situation? The Centre for Security Analysis organized a panel discussion on Nuclear Deterrence and Disarmament on 2nd February 2009 to explain the relationship between disarmament and deterrence. The proceedings of the panel discussion can be accessed here.

 

 

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