A six-member delegation from Department of Research of Academy of Military Sciences (AMS), China visited USI on 14 Jan 2020. The delegation was led by Maj Gen Chang Wei, Director, Department of Research, AMS. Welcome remarks were made by Maj Gen BK Sharma, AVSM, SM & Bar (Retd), Director, USI. He brought out the old civilizational links between the two oldest civilisations and the idea of Asian Century. He also pointed that the relations between the two countries is marked by three Cs — Cooperation, Competition and Confrontation.
Maj Gen Rajiv Narayanan, AVSM, VSM (Retd), Deputy Director (Research) and Head Centre for Strategic Studies and Simulation (CS3) in his presentation, “Emerging Security Dynamics in Indo-Pacific Region” gave an overview of trends, outlook and Indian concerns in the Indo-Pacific. He highlighted the global shift from unipolarity to multipolarity, shift in global geo-economic centrality, and China-US trade war. Discussing India’s outlook, he underlined Indian strategic preference of partners rather than alliance and centrality of ASEAN as a bridge between Indian and Pacific Ocean. He also highlighted Chinese hesitance to partner India, its view of ASEAN centrality, and lack of concern for India’s core interests. Maj Gen RPS Bhadauria, VSM (Retd) in his presentation on “Emerging Security Trends in South Asia” discussed India’s relations with the South Asian countries, the Chinese emerging footprints in the region and India’s concerns.
While concluding the session, Director, USI stressed on the need to look into the boundary dispute, role of Pakistan in impeding building strategic trust, and common strategic interest in Afghanistan. He said India China must strengthen ties particularly in trade, counter terrorism and in protecting security and stability in the region. Maj Gen Chang Wei remarked that China-Pakistan ties is not directed against any third country, US-China should improve relations and all the issues should be settled through communication and consultation. The two sides agreed in principle for a joint project.