GCTC Maj Gen Raj Krishan Malhotra memorial lecture debates Strategic shifts in the Pacific Islands

• Cleo Pascal, Associate Fellow at Chatham House, highlights how these shifts may impact India's outreach in South Pacific

• General Yossi Ben Hennen, Israeli War Veteran joins as special guest

• The event attended by foremost experts on the subject

New Delhi: Global Counter Terrorism Council, an India Based Global think-tank, held a round table conference on “Strategic Shifts in the pacific islands – how they might impact India’s outreach in South Pacific” in the memory of Late Maj. Gen. Raj Krishan Malhotra, AVSM,VSM. at the Haryana Bhawan, Delhi on the 3rd December 2019. Cleo Paskal, an Associate Fellow at Chatham House (aka Royal Institute of International Affairs) a leading policy institute London ,United Kingdom delivered a special talk  on the subject. She elaborated on how the Chinese relationship in various countries was morphing from an equation of goodwill to that of support to finally of dependence. It was detailed out with ideas on how India can positively engage with the pacific and integrate a common vision. Her talk captured the historical context of Manifesto of Greater East Asian Cooperation (c1942), to the role of Oceania in WWII, onto the Current Metropolitan Powers Map, and the recently noticed enormous Chinese engagement in Australia and New Zealand.  She also touched upon the Strategic Context of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Her talk was followed by a lively interactive discussion.

Mr. Salman Khurshid, Former External Affairs Minister, GoI, added on the tremendous soft power enjoyed by India and the importance to be well prepared both economically and militarily. He spoke about the fact that while it may be correct to say that we have some missed opportunities, but there are real contraints we need to overcome.

Mr.Sushil Pandit , leading Geopolitical Analyst provided a counterpoint and said, "We have to deal with both the mindset issue and the bandwidth issue. There is a clear will, vision and appetite required to project ourselves and to look into the future. We need to protect the interests of the country's future generations"

General Yossi Ben Hennen, Israeli War Veteran added an international perspective in his remarks. Having featured on the TIME magazine cover, he also holds the unique distinction of being blown out of a tank after been hit by an anti-tank missile and surviving. His presence added an inspirational tone to the proceedings.

The event concluded with luminaries and associates fondly recounting the contribution of Late Maj Gen Raj Krishan Malhotra. Lt Gen KJ Singh, State Information Commissioner, Govt. of Haryana & Former GOC-in-C, Western Command, Indian Army narrated his impressions and recalled how Gen Malhotra was not just a soldier par excellence but also scholarly. He did therefore, serve as an instructor in three academies. He added, "Things we take for granted today like defense acquisition council , long term integrated perspective plan , things like national command force,...a lot of these have Gen Malhotra's groundwork and untiring efforts behind them".

The General never shied away and always volunteered for the tough option. The GCTC's distinguished members honoured him and assured to carry on his legacy of strategic thought and of continuously developing India's options.

The participants on the panel included Lt. General K J Singh, State Information Commissioner, Govt. of Haryana & Former GOC-in-C, Western Command, Indian Army; Mr. Salman khurshid, Former External Affairs Minister, GoI ; Joyeeta Basu, Editor-The Sunday Guardian; Lt. Gen. Rakesh Sharma          Former Adjutant General, Indian Army; Major General A K Siwach, Former Head-Territorial Army; Rear Admiral Sanatan Kulshreshtha, Former Director General-Naval Armament Inspection, Indian Navy; Air marshal Ramesh Rai, Former AOC-in-C(Training Commang), Indian Air Force; Sanjeev Tripathi, Former Chief of R&AW; Lt. Gen. Gurmeet Singh, Former Deputy Chief of Staff, Indian Army; Air marshal R K Sharma, Former Vice Chief of Air Staff; Sushil Pandit, Geopolitical Analyst and General Yossi Ben Hennen, Israeli War Veteran

The event was moderated by Padmaja Joshi, Consulting Editor with Times Now.