“Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliances with none.”- Thomas Jefferson 

The Department of International Studies and History successfully conducted a talk by Ambassador Sujan R Chinoy on 18-3-19 between 11 AM to 1 PM at the Sky View at Christ (Deemed to be University).
The guest was welcomes by Fr Jose CC, Dr Joshy Paul and Dr Madhumati Deshpande. Sujan R. Chinoy, from Rajkot, Gujarat, is currently the Director General of the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), a globally reputable think-tank in New Delhi.

As an appropriate introduction being provided, the vent further moved on with India’s growth and Foreign policy especially in East Asian with an objective of inclusive growth. Being set an agenda, the speaker seamlessly covered each topic and made a clear impression of India’s stake and its position in the global scenario for the audience and talk remained engaging throughout. The speaker began by highlighting the point about the developmental progress of India in terms of unshackling the Indian Court by Insolvency and Bankruptcy code, implementing GST etc which has made India to receive a 130th rank at Global Competitive Index at World Economic Forum. This has been possible through Make in India, Start- Up India, FDI investment of around 62 billion dollars (2017-18) which has increased the knowledge base as well as given a bullish economic outlook. India has provided grants to Republic of Marshall Islands, Tokyo to even that of being a part of NSG, Missile Control Group, Shanghai Organisation, G20, BRICS, Russia India trilateral engagement etc. This strategic calculation is based on national interest, strategic autonomy (NAM) and the ethos of “Vasudaiva- Kutumbakam”.

As a part of national interest, cooperation, connectivity, communication and negotiation is important. In the case of Pakistan, post the Pulwama attack, the need of the hour is engagement in asymmetrical manners by dissolving weapons and having co-operative dialogues and confidence building measures. Further in the case of Afghanistan which shares a deep civilizational connect and historical links has made it continue its bilateral engagements which are fruitful such as 3.5 billion projects being funded, Parliament building being constructed, roads, transmission lines being constructed etc. Further there is an attempt to reconcile from the terrorist activities. In the case of China from Dalai Lama to Masood Azar of JEM not being condemned as an international terrorist. The adverse Balance of Payments situation is aggravated due to its interference in South China, involvement in Wuhan Summit post the Dokhlam Issue. Thus, India’s foreign policy needs greater convergence.

The session was fruitful and was followed by Question and Answer session.