INDIAN ARMY ORGANIZES SEMINAR CUM PANEL DISCUSSION: GAJRAJ MANTHAN AT TEZPUR.

The Indian Army commenced the seminar cum panel discussion ‘Gajraj Manthan’ at Tezpur on 23rd August 2024. The conclave is aimed to gain a better understanding of the contemporary compellence strategies, narrative building and Grey Zone activities to finally evolve a cogent military response strategy for the Indian Army encompassing multiple domains. The opening session of the conclave focused on the significant aspect of ‘Global Perspective on Strategic Deterrence and Transformation to Compellence’ and was chaired by Ambassador Sujan R Chinoy with Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia (Retd) & Maj Gen Rajiv Narayanan (Retd) being the other panelists. Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia (Retd) shared his views on the concept of Multi Domain Operations in a lucid manner. An appraisal of the assertive behaviour by global contemporaries in the current geo-political & geo-strategic scenario & options available to India was discussed by the distinguished diplomat Ambassador Sujan R Chinoy. Session 1 culminated with a discourse on Military Modernization’ by Maj Gen Rajiv Narayanan (Retd).     

‘Session 2, was chaired by Mr Jayadeva Ranade with Dr Dattesh D Parulekar & Mr Niraj Kumar being the other panelists. Contours of ‘Narrative for South Tibet Linkages to Buddhism’ was enunciated by the renowned scholar Mr Niraj Kumar. The various facets of cartographic aggression faced by India was highlighted by Maj Gen Rajiv Narayanan (Retd). An account of the complexities of a multipolar world for India was covered in detail by Mr Jayadev Ranade during his talk on ‘Strategic Autonomy v/s Collective Security – India’s Policy Options’. An in-depth analysis of the strategic ramifications for India was articulated by Dr Dattesh D Parulekar through his discourse on ‘India’s Strategic Calculus: Geo-Political Dimensions and Geo-Economic Dilemmas’.    

The first day culminated with Session 3 which saw key deliberations on ‘Military Power, Infrastructure Development & Modernization to Overcome Restrictions of High Altitude Terrain’. The discussions were steered by Lt Gen Narasimhan (Retd)  with Lt Gen Balbir Singh Sandhu (Retd) who formed part of the panel. The trajectory of modernization of the Rocket Force & genesis of Information Support Force was discussed by Lt Gen Narasimhan (Retd) during the inaugural talk of session 3 of the seminar. In addition, infrastructure development along the borders was comprehensively brainstormed by Lt Gen Balbir Singh Sandhu (Retd). The closing talk for Day one of the seminar focused on the force re-structuring & consequent changes in the Tactics, Techniques & Procedures of contemporaries in the current era. At the end of each session a comprehensive Q & A session was conducted in which specific queries were addressed by the panelists. The seminar is being attended by large numbers in physical as well as online mode. YouTube link was also shared on CLAW YouTube Channel for benefit of online viewers.

After two days of comprehensive brainstorming, the Indian Army culminated the seminar cum panel discussion ‘Gajraj Manthan’ at Tezpur on 24th August 2024. Day 2 of the seminar commenced with the 4th session, which was conducted by a team of experts from the CLAWS Think Tank and saw deliberations on the key issue of ‘Defence against Grey Zone Warfare’. The discussions of Session 4 were steered by Lt Gen Dushyant Singh (Retd) with eminent domain experts who formed part of the panel to include Maj Gen Manjeet Singh (Retd) and Mr Alok Vijayant. Contours of developing Cyber Resilience in the era of Grey Zone warfare was analysed in detail by Maj Gen Manjeet Singh (Retd). Leveraging information as a weapon for achieving strategic & operational dividends during Grey Zone and military operations was a very significant aspect covered by Mr Alok Vijayant during his intriguing talk on Countering Information and Dis Information Operations. A comprehensive discourse on ‘Countering Grey Zone: A Multi Domain Strategy for India’ was given by Lt Gen Dushyant Singh (Retd).

The Session 5 focused on Resilient Response Strategy: Countering the emerging Geo-Strategic security challenges in Multiple Domains chaired by Lt Gen Raj Shukla (Retd) with Lt Gen Ajai Singh (Retd) among others. Aspects of Civil Military Fusion for Infrastructure Development, Military Modernization & Indian Army’s Multi-Domain Resilience was covered in depth highlighting the key structural, protocol and procedural changes essential for building a resilient framework at the strategic and operational level. Jointmanship as the future for the Indian Armed Forces was emphasized wholeheartedly by Lt Gen Ajai Singh (Retd) during his talk on Jointmanship. The culminating talk of the event was articulated by Lt Gen Raj Shukla (Retd) on the very significant aspect of ‘Contemporary Challenges for India and the Way Ahead’.  

In the Closing Address the importance was re-emphasized on the need to be operationally prepared round the clock for any contingency developing on the India’s borders and the importance of AtmanirbharBharat. The seminar provided key insights to decode contemporary strategic, doctrinal, military modernization and Grey Zone challenges while suggesting suitable measures to be taken by India’s security apparatus to develop a cogent and resilient response strategy transcending multiple domains. The seminar was screened in online mode on CLAWS YouTube channel for online viewers.