4th SAT PAUL SAHNI MEMORIAL LECTURE ON “INDIA’S ATTRIBUTES AND INTERESTS: WHO ARE WE AND WANT DO WE WANT?”

The J&K Regional Branch of Indian Institute of Public Administration is organised a 4th Sat Paul Sahni Memorial Lecturer on “India’s Attributes and Interests: Who are we and want do we want?” on December 7 2013 (Saturday), in the seminar hall of IIPA, J&K Regional Branch, Jammu. Prof Varun Sahni, former Vice Chancellor of University of Jammu and Chairperson of the Centre for International Politics, Organization and Disarmament, School of International Studies, JNU, New Delhi was the key note speaker.

Prof Varun Sahni stated that weakening Pakistan eccentric to least is in core interest of India, which has all attributes for emerging as a global trusteeship on the world scenario.

Terming Pakistan and China as most likely adversaries, which share land border with India, Prof Sahni stressed for developing nuclear deterrence vis-à-vis these two countries. “Even as nuclear capability does not make India a power, it has definitely forced China to acknowledge us as a force,” he said.

Prof Sahni listed 19 core attributes of India, relevant in the foreign policy for the national interest. “India as a large country, emerging power, regional power, continental power, nuclear power, developing economy, cultural civilization, democracy etc, which are relevant in conceiving our policies of external affairs,” he said.

However, he lamented, India has miserably failed to achieve the strategic choice unlike China which has virtually established its dominance in the region.

Suggesting that India should form a cooperation and act as catalyst between United States and China instead of aligning with anyone of the two, Prof Sahni said that ideological weapon and cultural power could greatly help in a successful foreign policy.

“India cinema, music and Yoga etc are globally recognized and can act as our cultural weapons while on the other hand, Chinese cultural aspect is very difficult to be accepted by other cultures,” he explained and highlighted the importance of Indian diaspora on this front.

Floating of idea of global trusteeship, Prof Sahni opined that India should take care of its responsibilities to the world, instead of thinking in terms of world power.

Earlier, Dr Ashok Bhan, Chairman, IIPA J&K Regional Branch, presented a welcome address and introduced the Keynote speaker. He also paid tributes to late Sat Paul Sahni and recalled the later’s contribution to society in general and IIPA in particular. Dr S.S. Bloeria, Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Jammu, also paid tributes to Sat Pal Sahni and threw light on his multi-facet personality.

Chief Economic Advisor of J&K Government, Shri J.A Khan presided over the function, which was attended by strategic and defence analysts, intellectuals, academicians, police officers and bureaucrats and members from the IIPA. Prof Alka Sharma conducted the proceedings and Vote of thanks was presented by Er. J.B.S.Johar Hony Secretary, IIPA J&K Regional Branch.