NATIONAL SECURITY SEMINAR ON “TERROR AND TRESPASSES IN INDIA’S NORTHERN BORDERS-DECIPHERING THE GRAND STRATEGIES OF PAKISTAN AND CHINA”

The J&K Regional Branch of Indian Institute of Public Administration in collaboration with Department of National Security Studies, Central University of Jammu is organised a daylong Seminar on the above subject on November 26, 2013 (Tuesday) at 9.30 am, in the seminar hall of IIPA, J&K Regional Branch, the anniversary of 26/11 Mumbai attacks. The Seminar was inaugurated by Dr S.S. Bloeria, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Jammu and Keynote address delivered by Dr Ashok Bhan Chairman IIPA, J&K Regional Branch & Former Member of National Security Advisory Board, welcome address by Dr J. Jeganaathan, Assistant Professor, Dept. of National Security Studies, Central University of Jammu. Shri A.M. Watali, former Member J&KPSC proposed the vote of thanks.

The seminar covered various aspects of border issues with Pakistan and China taking stock of the ground reality and other political dimensions.

The First Session chaired by Mr Jayadeva Ranade, Former Additional Secretary, R&AW & Member, National Security Advisory Board (NSAB). Mr Rana Banerji, Special Secretary (Retd.) Cabinet Secretariate spoke on Domestic Compulsions of Pakistan’s New Regime, Maj Gen (Retd.) Dhruv C Katoch SM, VSM, Director, Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) spoke on combating Cross Border Terrorism across the LOC: Need for a Doctrinal Approach and Prof Rekha Choudhary, ICSSR Fellow spoke on Indo-Pak Border Tensions: The Socio-political Impact of J&K.

It emphasize the need for a fresh look at borders and explore mutually agreed solution to the issue even though there is some sort of compromise is required.

It is observed that Pakistan’s domestic factors continue to impinge on its strategy towards India. The civil-military relationship in Pakistan would determine the terms and conditions of Indo-Pak relations. Emergence of new home grown terror outfits is a cause of serious concern for India. India needs to engage the civilian constituencies in Pakistan in order to isolate those radical groups.

The seminar also highlighted the need for an effective doctrinal approach to address the cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan in order to maintain peace and tranquility along the border. This should include some sort of deterrence elements at the sub-conventional level. This should be pursued along with continued dialogues.

The seminar also perceived the lack of coherent deterrence from India vis-à-vis non-state actors supported by Pakistan army. The socio-political impact of border tensions has also been analyzed from the humanist perspective. It sheds some light on the local narratives along the border, which is often been overlooked by policy makers.

The second session chaired by Maj Gen (Retd.) Dhruv Katoch SM, VSM, Director, Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) and Mr Jayadeva Ranade, Former Additional Secretary, R&AW & Member, National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) spoke on Chinese New Leadership: Implications for India, Prof Srikant Kondapalli, Professor in Chinese Studies, JNU, New Delhi, Mr Nitin A Gokhale, Strategic Affairs Editor, NDTV spoke on Indian Response Along China Frontier: The Way Forward. The new leadership in China is much more assertive and ambitious in its foreign policy, which has three goals: robust economic, Build a strong nation and cultural rejuvenation.

Chinese assertiveness along LAC is largely conditioned by South China Sea dispute. India has to bear these minor incidents in the foreseeable future. India’s infrastructure along LAC is dism Dr J.Jeganaathan, Assistant Professor, Dept. of National Security Studies, Central University of Jammu presented a seminar report.

The Valedictory address delivered by Shri Ashok Prasad, DGP, J&K in his valedictory address, Prasad said despite efforts of India to promote the dialogue process, Pakistan continued to support secessionism, cross-border terrorism and infiltration and whip up anti-national sentiment in Kashmir.

“Pakistan’s aggression in the valley continues and the policy of talks has not been received positively. There is a need to rethink how to secure the national interest and safety of people”.

The DGP said Pakistan had been following the aggressive policy when it came to its relations with India and “we have become tolerant to the level of violence perpetuated by the terrorists trained and supported by the neibhouring country”.

Talking about the security scenario in the country,, Prasad said the threat from northern borders (Pakistan and China) and relations with Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Burma and Srilanka were a long-term challenge for the country. Shri J.B.S. Johar, Hony Secretary presented the welcome address, Ms Neeta, Assistant Professor, Dept. of National Security, Central University of Jammu presented a vote of thanks.

Representatives from Army, PMFs, J&K Police, academia, Media and selected delegates from the civil society and IIPA participated in seminar.