An 18 member delegation led by Maj Gen (Retd) Simon Porter CBE from the UK Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) course visited USI on 22 May 2018.
The welcome remarks were made by Lt Gen PK Singh, PVSM, AVSM (Retd), Director, USI.
In the first session, Maj Gen Rajiv Narayanan, AVSM, VSM (Retd), Distinguished Fellow, USI made a presentation on “Emerging Dynamics of the Indo-Pacific Region.” In his presentation he talked about the conventionaldifference between Asia – Pacific and Indo-Pacific, increasing geostrategic significance of the maritime space and expanding Chinese footprints under Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in East China Sea, South China Sea, and the Indian Ocean region (IOR). He elaborated on the China’s dream and strategy to achieve the same and its implications for India.
Maj Gen BK Sharma, AVSM, SM** (Retd), Dy Director (Research), USI made a presentation on “Challenges to Peace and Security in Afghanistan.” In his presentation, he touched upon some of the key issues related to Afghanistan. He discussed on the complex geography and tumultuous history of Afghanistan, its current health as a nation state, its potential and prospects as a strategic hub, security scenario in the country, geopolitics of combating terrorism, as well as India’s role and contribution in peace and security in Afghanistan.
It was followed by a free and frank Q& A session. The concluding remarks were made by Lt Gen PK Singh, PVSM, AVSM (Retd), Director, USI.