The Inaugural Session
Anewly constituted think tank, The Delhi Forum For Strategic Studies, conducted its inaugural seminar on 24 November 2017 at the Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantonment on the theme ‘Securing India’s Interests in a Troubled Neighbourhood’. The deliberations were attended by a large number of renowned security analysts, members of the Indian diplomatic corps and serving officers of the three services. Setting the theme for the intensive deliberations, the thinktank’s President, former founder of India’s Defence Intelligence Agency, Lt Gen Kamal Davar, expressed his concerns as regards the sluggishness displayed, since many years, by India’s political leadership, an indifferent bureaucracy and the professional chasm between the three services in ensuring India’s defence preparedness of a high order. He stated that defence preparedness and economic resurgence of the nation are inextricably inter- dependent. The chief guest and former Governor of Chattisgarh, Shekhar Dutt voiced his apprehensions at the lack of urgency in ensuring India’s combat power to the desired levels and suggested better synergy between the civilmilitary establishment.
Former Naval Chief Adm Arun Prakash shared his views on the reforms required for Higher Defence Management in the nation and emphasised the urgency of instituting the appointment of a Chief of Defence Staff for ensuring better combat synergy between the three services and providing integrated strategic advice to the government.
Lt Gen Prakash Katoch cautioned the nation on the fall-out of the recent Doklam crisis and opined that China only respects power and strength in its policies towards others. AVM Kapil Kak, who was a member of the Volunteer Group, under Yashwant Sinha who had visited Srinagar recently, rued the fact that the central government did not give them even a hearing! He advocated a multi-pronged including a humanitarian approach to resolve the J& K impasse. Former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, G Parthasarthy expressed that India must follow a consistent and firm policy towards Pakistan as the latter is not showing any inclination to mend its fences with India. Thus India will have to be extra vigilant especially with the emerging Pakistan-China axis emerging and fanning Pakistan’s belligerence. Pushpindar Singh, President of the Society for Aerospace Studies, summed up the proceedings before thanking the galaxy of strategic experts for their attendance and active participation in the inaugural seminar.
In the photograph above are seen Lt General Kamal Davar whose book ‘Tryst with Perfidy’ was released by Shekhar Dutt in the presence of Admiral Arun Prakash and Pushpindar Singh.