Strategy Meets Diplomacy: RRU Empowers India’s Next-Gen Foreign Officers
Newz Daddy Educational Updates
Gujarat, the School of International Cooperation, Security and Strategic Languages (SICSSL) organised a dynamic and intellectually stimulating training program for Indian Foreign Service Officer Trainees, which was completed by Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), an Institution of National Importance under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. The curriculum was created to give young diplomats interdisciplinary insights and innovative strategic perspectives in national security, international governance, and foreign policy.
A variety of distinguished speakers from India’s top academic, defence, and strategic institutions participated in the program. A renowned talk on “The Future of Polarity in the International System” was given by Prof. Harsh V. Pant, Vice President of the Observer Research Foundation and Visiting Faculty at SICSSL. Lt Gen D.P. Pandey, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd.), gave an insightful talk on “Breaking Silos and Building Synergy towards Integrated National Power,” highlighting the importance of whole-of-nation approaches in strategic affairs.
With his talk on “India’s Defence Destiny and Atma Nirbhar Bharat,” Lt Gen Sanjay Verma (Retd), PVSM, AVSM, VSM, Bar to VSM, DRDO Chair, and Emeritus Resource Faculty at RRU, motivated attendees and emphasised the value of innovation and indigenisation in national security. With his presentation on Maritime Security and Strategic Sea Power, a crucial area for India’s Indo-Pacific ambitions, Rear Admiral Monty Khanna (Retd.), Member of the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB), enhanced the discussion. The Takshashila Institution’s Deputy Director, Mr. Pranay Kotasthane, gave an engrossing talk on “High-Tech Geopolitics: Trends and Assessment,” unravelling the relationship between security, global influence, and rising technology.
Dr. Utsav Chaware, Director of the Bharat Centre of Olympic Research at RRU, spoke on “Olympics, Sports Diplomacy, and Global Relations,” emphasising sports as a developing tool of global soft power. This presentation was a significant part of India’s international outreach. Ms. Aakanksha Saxena and Mr. Harish Chowdhary also gave an insightful talk on Technological Diplomacy and International Cooperation, outlining India’s goals as a responsible and proactive digital power. The training’s high point was the presentation by SICSSL Director Dr. Aparna Varma, who examined “Security Spectrum: National Security Discourses” from an institutional and strategic perspective.
Her talk offered a critical foundation for comprehending the mainstream IR theories and national security discourses related to national security studies. A comprehensive analysis of “India’s Strategic Rise in the Global Economic and Financial Order” was given by Shri K Rajaraman, IAS, Chairperson of the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA).
This life-changing experience came to an end with the Valedictory Session. The program was substantially enhanced by the visionary leadership and personal involvement of Prof. (Dr.) Bimal N. Patel, the Honourable Vice Chancellor of Rashtriya Raksha University, gave a special lecture. “80 Years of the UN Charter: Forming the Bedrock of Multilateralism,” “Reinforcing the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes,” “International Relations Guided by International Law,” and “Promoting International Cooperation and Friendly Relations Among Nations” were among the main themes that the Hon. Vice Chancellor covered in his speech.
Throughout the course, he provided the officer trainees with guidance based on his unwavering wisdom. The training program is evidence of Rashtriya Raksha University’s dedication to combining academic brilliance, diplomacy, and strategy to prepare future leaders for service to the country and the world.
