The Institute of National Security Studies' Director General and Director (Research), Colonel M.B.B. Nalin Herath RSP, along with his role as Director Media and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Defence, received an invitation as a guest speaker at the General Bipin Rawat Memorial Seminar. This seminar was jointly organized by Headquarters Southern Command and the Pune International Centre (PIC), held at Hotel Pride in India on 18-19 December 2023. The event was solemnly commemorated as the second death anniversary of Late Gen Bipin Rawat, the inaugural Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian Armed Forces.
Structured in the format of a seminar, the memorial event centered around the theme, 'Neighbourhood Vishwamitra: The Way Forward,' an integral part of Pune International Centre’s ongoing 'Neighbourhood Vishwamitra' series. The focus was to accentuate India's collaborative efforts in fortifying ties with South Asian countries and deliberate on pertinent issues, challenges, and strategies moving forward to bolster these connections.
Among the attendees was Ms. Tarini Rawat, daughter of the late General Bipin Rawat. Lt Gen Ajai Kumar Singh, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, Army Commander Southern Command, commenced the proceedings by paying homage to the late General Rawat during his opening address. He emphasized India's emergence as a reliable ally, highlighting the robust social and economic bonds shared with its neighboring nations. Ambassador Gautam Bambawale, Trustee of PIC, underscored that the region represents a broad spectrum of cooperation intermingled with sporadic points of friction. Geopolitical shifts, economic collaborations, and security concerns collectively contribute to India's intricate network of relations within its neighborhood.
Distinguished speakers such as Lt Gen Pawan Pande (Retd), Former Vice Chief of Nepal Army, and Rear Admiral ASMA Awal (Retd) from Bangladesh shared their insights on the issues, challenges, and opportunities prevalent in South Asia.
The seminar attracted participation from academics, scholars, and luminaries across various fields. Ambassador Vijay Kelkar, Former Foreign Secretary and trustee of PIC, delivered the concluding remarks, encapsulating the essence of the deliberations.
