The inauguration began at 9:30am in the presence of distinguished dignitaries including the registrar, Air Marshal (Retd) Vinod Patney, Father Jose (Director of Department of International Studies and History). The morning began with a prayer, followed by a welcome speech given by faculty Dr. Joshy M. Paul and remarks by Father Jose. The introductory speeches given by Air Marshal Vinod Patney and Professor Rajaram Nagappa focused upon the importance of understanding the issues and threats faced by a nuclear India.
Immediately began the first session in which the resource person was Air Marshal (Retd) Vinod Patney. This session was chaired by a faculty member, Dr. Manoharan. Air Marshal (Retd) Vinod Patney is one of the most distinguished fighter pilots in the history of Indian Air Force. He is presently the Director of Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS), New Delhi.
This session focused upon the topic “Why did India go nuclear and What is India’s Nuclear Doctrine”. He successfully traced down the history from 1945 till 1998. The dynamics within the political structure and the threats from India’s neighbors were discussed upon. He gave brief explanations on the peaceful nuclear explosion by India in 1974 and 1998. Furthermore, India’s Nuclear Doctrine and its two major principles, Credible Minimum Deterrence and No First Use Policy, were elaborated upon.
This session was followed by an interactive session where students as well as faculty raised interesting questions.
The second session after tea break began with Dr. A.R. Sundarajan’s talk on “Evolution of India’s Nuclear Programme”. Being the former director of the Radiological Division of Atomic Energy Research Board, the esteemed speaker enlightened the audience on the role of nuclear energy in a country’s economic growth and infrastructure development. The scope for using nuclear energy in the generation of electricity and genetic improvement in crops was thrown light upon. Following this, the legacy of Homi J. Bhabha, a central figure of India’s nuclear programme, was discussed at length. The development of Atomic Energy Commission and Department of Atomic Energy as the early pillars of nuclear programme in India was also dwelled upon.
The second talk for the session focused on the evolution of India’s missile programme. Professor Rajaram Nagappa from NIAS briefed all those present on the role and evolution of ballistic missiles and cruise missiles in India. He further discussed the role of DAE, ISRO and DRDO in this evolution.
The engaging talks stimulated numerous inquisitive responses and questions from the audience. Several issues that were discussed in the Q&A session included the pros and cons of privatisation of nuclear energy, the avenues for dealing with nuclear waste and the need for greater safety measures to prevent nuclear disasters.
After lunch, the session was on Nuclear Challenges to India with resource person Dr. Manpreet Sethi. The nuclear challenges and threats facing by India is a topic of great importance both in terms of national security and foreign policy. Addressing the seminar Dr. Manpreet Sethi (senior Fellow at Centre for Air Power Studies, CAPS, New Delhi) led a session on the topic of China & Pakistan: Nuclear Challenges to India. The speaker stressed on the multi-dimensional nuclear threat the country encounters and shed light into the complex problems associated with it. Dr. Sethi said that the basic principle of India's nuclear program is deterrence, but having two nuclear powers as neighbors and the history of territorial disputes and wars puts India in a critical position.
The difference between the nuclear doctrine and strategies of both India and Pakistan was laid out. While India projects no-first use as a matter of principle, Pakistan is averse to it and disinclined to any such guarantees. Dr. Sethi talked about how Pakistan is projecting its irrationality through its policies and its objective of an unstable relationship with India. Pakistan is increasing its nuclear weaponry at a rapid phase and using its nuclear capability as a shield to cover its support for terrorism. The relationship between Pakistan and China both economically and militarily also pose threat to India. Dr. Sethi pointed out that India needs to address these challenges in different aspects such as defensive, diplomatic and offensive. According to Dr. Sethi the answer to these challenges should be through the communication of capability and the ability use that capability.
The discussion then moved on to the issue of China. India and China have a similar nuclear doctrine that projects no-first use principle. But one can see the widening mismatch between China's nuclear policies in recent times from that of its inception. The new swagger of China and its emergence as a superpower pose serious challenges to India. Dr. Sethi explained that even though most of its policies are to counter defense the threat of USA, it also threatens India as well. Dr. Sethi points out that our response to China should focus on the capability buildup with reference to missile range, accessibility and penetrability. China's technological advancement and modernization of nuclear technology should be counter with the technological buildup of our systems.
Knowledge about the multi-dimensional issues, threats, and challenges our country is facing help us to understand the complexity of policy making both in terms of national security and international relations. Hence Dr. Sethi's insightful session regarding the challenges pose by Pakistan and China followed by the question and answer, the seminar came to a fruitful end.
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