The Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2023, a two-day event jointly organised by the Indian Army and the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), concluded on 4th November. This groundbreaking event, held at the Manekshaw Centre on November 3-4, brought together experts, international delegations, and distinguished speakers to discuss critical issues surrounding security challenges in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific region.

The central theme of the dialogue was 'Serving India and Indo Pacific Region- Collaborating for Comprehensive Security.' Drawing inspiration from the wisdom of ancient strategist Chanakya, the event aimed to foster in-depth discussions on global and regional security matters, with a particular focus on South Asian and Indo-Pacific security dynamics.

Honourable Vice President of India's special address

The event saw the presence of Jagdeep Dhankhar, Vice President of India, who commended the Indian Army for organising this platform to address contemporary global security challenges. He expressed his confidence that the Chanakya Defence Dialogue would serve as a forum for in-depth analyses of security complexities in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific and pave the way for collective security solutions in the region.

In his address, the Vice President stressed on the paramount importance of achieving and upholding peace through a multifaceted approach, combining ideation, advocacy, outreach, persuasion, and dialogue, while being vigilant and prepared. He underscored the significance of a nation's strength as a powerful defense and deterrent, stating that ‘being prepared for war is a pathway to peace’. He emphasised that peace can be established by possessing strength, highlighting the importance of harnessing a nation's soft power and economic strength in enhancing the security environment.

General Manoj Pande's vision for comprehensive security

General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), delivered a plenary address during which he discussed the evolving global landscape and the impact of technology on geo-politics. He mentioned that India's resolve, resilience, and diverse capacities were tested during the pandemic, and the nation successfully weathered the storm. He also highlighted the role of an agile, resilient, consumer-driven economy in overcoming economic challenges.

COAS reiterated India's commitment to promoting regional stability and shared prosperity. He noted the central role of Indo-Pacific in global strategic discourse and emphasized the importance of collaborative security and partnership among like-minded nations to achieve regional stability and address transnational threats. He underlined the necessity of India's continuous efforts to build its capabilities to meet emerging challenges and changes in the character of war, particularly in the domains of space, cyber, and the electromagnetic spectrum.

Sessions unveiling the future of security

The Chanakya Defence Dialogue featured six distinct sessions, each addressing crucial aspects of security and collaboration:

Session-I delved into South Asia's future challenges, analyzing implications of India-China competition and the prospect of India as a geo-economic growth driver in the region. Session-II explored power dynamics in the Indo-Pacific, emphasizing India's role as an economic powerhouse, China's influence in the region, and the involvement of ASEAN Nations in shaping the region's fate.

Session-III highlighted potential security alliances in the Indo-Pacific, focusing on multilateral alignments based on shared interests, especially for the security of smaller nations in the region. Session-IV discussed the impact of emerging technologies on defense and security, considering the challenges and potential of disruptive technologies.

Session-V examined India's defense industry's role in collaborative capacity building, analyzing policy initiatives, industry collaboration, and start-ups. Session-VI explored India's unique approach to comprehensive deterrence, unveiling its philosophy, practicalities, and future developments.

Summing up: Strength through Unity

In his closing remarks, General Manoj Pande emphasised that peace is secured from a position of strength, and this strength comes from the unity of like-minded nations that respect international norms. He highlighted the significance of collective and collaborative security partnerships, especially in the face of the technological progression in kinetic instruments of war.

The Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2023 was a platform for in-depth discussions on security complexities, collaborative efforts, and the quest for collective security solutions in the region. India, with its rich heritage and forward-looking vision, stands ready to play a pivotal role in ensuring a secure and prosperous global and regional environment.

India's comprehensive deterrence approach explored in the final session of Chanakya Dialogue