On 13th March, Mr. Brig Vinod Anand, Senior Fellow at the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF), visited GIIS and lectured on India’s Strategy in South Asia and Indian Ocean Region. Prof. Zhou Fangyin, Director of the Center for China’s Regional Strategic Studies, hosted the lecture. Prof. Chen Hanxi, Director of the Center for European Studies attended the lecture with other research fellows of GIIS.
Mr. Anand stressed India’s significance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), as well as IOR’s significance for India as a maritime power. For India, IOR represents two-thirds of the world’s seaborne trade in oil, 50% of the world’s seaborne container traffic, 1/3 of the world’s seaborne bulk cargo, and 40% of offshore oil production. The current government initiatives like ‘Make in India’ also emphasize blue economy like ship building and port development. PM Modi’s Vision for IOR is Security and Growth for All (SAGAR), in which India is to safeguard Indian Territory and interests; ensure a safe, secure and stable IOR, deepen economic and security cooperation with maritime neighbors and island states, build their maritime security capacities and economic strengths.
Later, attendants exchanged ideas in topics such as Gwadar Port, India and the Belt and Road Initiative, etc.
Introduction to VIF:
The Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) is a New Delhi-based think tank set up with the collaborative efforts of India's leading security experts, diplomats, industrialists and philanthropists under the aegis of the Vivekananda Kendra. The VIF’s objective is to become a centre of excellence to kick start innovative ideas and thoughts that can lead to a stronger, secure and prosperous India playing its destined role in global affairs.
