In News:

• Recently, the Chanakya Defence Dialogue (CDD) 2024, second edition, was held at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi.
• Theme: "Drivers in Nation Building: Fueling Growth Through Comprehensive Security."
• Focus: Discussions on integrating national security into India's development trajectory and global strategy for a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Key Objectives:

• The dialogue aimed to explore India’s strategic directions and development priorities by fostering discussions between policymakers, strategic thinkers, defence experts, and academia.
• Highlighted the link between national security and economic growth, stressing how security frameworks are vital for national progress.

Key Sessions and Discussions:

• Session 1: Social Cohesion and Inclusive Growth: Pillars of a Secure Nation:
  • Focused on internal security, social unity, and inclusive development.
  • Panelists discussed the role of community engagement, countering terrorism, and law enforcement reforms.
  • Emphasized the need for integrating social progress and addressing challenges like separatism and terrorist narratives.
  • Panelists called for evidence-based policies for equitable growth and stronger security frameworks to protect the country from internal threats.
• Session 2: Blurring Frontiers: The Convergence of Technology & Security:
  • Addressed the intersection of technology and national security.
  • Topics included AI, quantum computing, IoT, and blockchain for improving cyber resilience and data protection.
  • Panelists emphasized the need to balance technological innovation with strong security measures, particularly in cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection.
• Session 3: Ground-breakers: Shaping Land Warfare, Reflections for the Indian Army:
  • Explored the integration of emerging technologies like AI, unmanned systems, and cyber warfare tools in enhancing military readiness.
  • Focused on indigenous defense technologies under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, promoting self-reliance and reducing dependency on foreign technologies.
  • Emphasized multi-domain operations and the challenges of adapting to evolving security threats, especially from advanced cyber and space warfare.

Strategic Insights:

• Economic Growth & Security: The dialogue highlighted that national security and economic growth are interlinked, with a strong military infrastructure crucial for sustaining development.
• Role of Technology: Technological advancements like AI, space technology, and cybersecurity are pivotal for enhancing India's defense capabilities and strategic posture in a rapidly evolving global security landscape.
• Inclusive Security: Emphasized social cohesion and inclusive growth as key components of national security, acknowledging that a unified society contributes significantly to national resilience.
• Global Diplomacy: India’s global leadership in multilateral forums, its stance on peacekeeping, and its role in promoting sustainable development were discussed as part of the country’s soft power strategy.