Indian Army To Hold Chanakya Defence Dialogue; Rajnath Singh and Jaishankar To Be Key Speakers

The Indian Army is set to inaugurate a discussion series called the ‘Chanakya Defence Dialogue’ on November 3-4, with the goal of promoting open conversations about crucial security matters, as announced by army officials on Monday.

The dialogue, according to the Indian Army, will conduct a thorough assessment of security challenges in the South Asia and Indo-Pacific regions. Its primary focus will be on devising a plan for cooperative security measures in the region, reinforcing India’s position as a proactive, resurgent, and significant player among regional nations.

The ‘Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2023’ is a collaborative effort between the Indian Army and the think tank Centre for Land and Warfare Studies (CLAWS) and marks the first event of its kind organized by the Indian Army.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to address the dialogue on the first day, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will deliver a special address on the second day. The official unveiling of the event details will take place during a curtain-raiser event scheduled for October 26 at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi.

General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff, will participate in a fireside chat moderated by former Army Commander Lieutenant General Raj Shukla (retired), where a wide range of issues will be discussed.

General Raj Shukla will also moderate a roundtable discussion featuring Vice Admiral Anil Chopra (retired), Ambassador Gautam Upadhyay, and Jayadev Ranade on the topic ‘Securing India and the Indo-Pacific Region: Collaborating for Comprehensive Security.’

The inaugural edition of the dialogue will be conducted on November 3 & 4 at the Manekshaw Centre in the national capital. It is intended to become a regular event organized by the Indian Army in the future.

The dialogue will comprise six sessions covering aspects related to South Asia, the Indo-Pacific, defense collaborations, and the defense industry. Eminent speakers from India and abroad, including Dr. Arvind Virmani (Niti Aayog), Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood (PSA to the Government of India), Dr. A Kiran Kumar (former Chairman of ISRO), Lisa Curtis (Senior Fellow and Director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at CNAS), Dr. Satoru Nagao (Japan), Dr. Justin Burke (Australia), Dr. Paco Milhiet (France), and others, will participate in the event.

The event is expected to provide thought-provoking sessions, discussions, and insights into India’s defense strategies and collaborations for comprehensive security in the Indo-Pacific region.

Also Read: Renowned Spinner Bishan Singh Bedi Passes Away at 77
Catch all the Latest Business News, Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on NewsX