In the news
Prime Minister Modi is set to inaugurate the 9th instalment of the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi.
Background
- The clandestine inception of the Raisina Security Dialogue in April 2022, preceding the Raisina Dialogue, underscores its strategic importance.
- Spearheaded by India's Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), the National External Intelligence Agency, and the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) under the guidance of National Security Advisor, the conference serves as a proactive measure to address evolving security dynamics.
- Drawing inspiration from esteemed security dialogues like the Shangri-La Dialogue and the Munich Security Conference, the Raisina Security Dialogue is tailored to facilitate nuanced discussions on global security imperatives.
About the Raisina Dialogue
The Raisina Dialogue stands as an eminent annual event, serving as a significant platform for geopolitical discussions and exchanges.
Key aspects of the Raisina Dialogue
- Joint Organization
- The Raisina Dialogue is organised collaboratively by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), a leading Indian think tank, and the Union Ministry of External Affairs.
- This partnership underscores the government's engagement with research institutions and civil society organisations in shaping India's foreign policy discourse.
- Origin and Name
- Named after Raisina Hill, the symbolic seat of the Government of India, the dialogue pays homage to India's historical and political significance.
- It commenced its journey in 2016 and has since then garnered international recognition as a premier forum for global engagement.
- Evolution and Significance
- Over the years, the Raisina Dialogue has evolved into India's foremost conference on geopolitics and geo-economics.
- It serves as a dynamic platform for policymakers, intellectuals, business leaders, and media representatives to deliberate on pressing global issues.
- Participants and Delegates
- The Dialogue attracts a diverse array of participants, including cabinet ministers, heads of state, corporate executives, scholars, and journalists.
- This multi-stakeholder approach ensures a comprehensive and inclusive dialogue on critical geopolitical and geo-economic challenges.
- Significance of Raisina Hills and the Observer Research Foundation
- Situated in the heart of India's capital, the Raisina Hills symbolise the locus of governmental power, housing iconic structures such as the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
- The Observer Research Foundation (ORF) serves as an eminent independent think tank, providing impartial and meticulously researched insights to shape policy discourse and contribute to international deliberations.
- Raisina Dialogue: India's Premier Geostrategic Forum
- Established in 2016, the Raisina Dialogue serves as India's preeminent platform for deliberating on geopolitical and geo-economic challenges of global significance.
- Jointly hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), the dialogue mirrors the format of esteemed global security conferences, including the Munich Security Conference and the Shangri La Dialogue.
Objectives of the Raisina Dialogue
- Promoting Asean Integration
- One of the primary objectives is to explore future opportunities for Asian integration.
- The Dialogue seeks to facilitate discussions on enhancing cooperation among Asian nations and strengthening their integration with the global community.
- Asserting India's Role
- The Raisina Dialogue aims to underscore India's pivotal role in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and its contributions to fostering regional and global stability.
- It provides a platform for India to showcase its strategic vision and engagement with partner countries in shaping a secure and prosperous world order.
- Advancing Global Discourse
- By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the Dialogue fosters meaningful exchanges on a wide range of geopolitical and geo-economic issues.
- It contributes to advancing global discourse and shaping policy responses to contemporary challenges such as climate change, terrorism, and economic inequality.
Raisina Dialogue 2023 - Navigating Provocation, Uncertainty, and Turbulence
About
The eighth edition of the Raisina Dialogue, held in 2023, adopted the theme "Provocation, Uncertainty, Turbulence: Lighthouse in the Tempest." This theme encapsulated the complex and tumultuous global dynamics that have characterised recent times.
Key highlights and thematic pillars of the conference
Thematic Pillars
- Neo Insurgence - Geographies, Domains, Ambitions: Discussions revolved around uprisings and revolutions occurring worldwide, exploring their geographical spread, impact across different domains, and underlying ambitions.
- Amoral Mosaic - Contest, Cooperate or Cancel: This pillar addressed immoral activities and strategies to counter them, emphasising the importance of cooperation in combating global challenges.
- Chaotic Codes - Sovereignty, Security, Society: Policymakers engaged in dialogues regarding sovereignty and security, analysing their diverse interpretations and implications for society.
- Pernicious Passports - Climate, Commons, Citizens: Deliberations centred on the cross-border threat of climate change and its repercussions on shared natural resources and global citizens.
- Grey Rhinos - Democracies, Dependencies, and Debt Traps: Focused discussions on debt traps and democratic challenges, shedding light on the complexities within democratic systems and their vulnerabilities.
Keynote Address by the Prime Minister of Italy
- Giorgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of Italy, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the significance of global interconnections in fostering economic growth.
- She lamented the disruptive impact of the war in Ukraine, stressing that it hindered the full realisation of economic potential and stability.
Condemnation of the War in Ukraine
- Prime Minister Meloni unequivocally condemned the war in Ukraine, denouncing it as a violation of fundamental rights and territorial integrity.
- The conflict was framed as a threat to the global order and a breach of sovereignty.
Conclusion
In essence, the convergence of the Raisina Security Dialogue and the Raisina Dialogue epitomises India's steadfast commitment to fostering international cooperation and addressing complex security challenges on a global scale. These platforms serve as crucibles for meaningful exchanges among eminent policymakers, intelligence professionals, and thought leaders, charting a course towards a more secure and prosperous future for nations worldwide.
