DSRS JU organizes Second G20 Public Lecture
Mar 24, 2023
JAMMU: The Department of Strategic and Regional Studies (DSRS), University of Jammu organized the Second G20 Public Lecture on "India's Policy towards Neighbourhood" in the seminar hall of the Department of Strategic and Regional Studies (DSRS).
Prof. Naresh Padha, Dean Academic Affairs, University of Jammu, the Chief Guest on the occasion introduced the theme of the Public Lecture and invited Prof. Thapliyal to deliver the lecture.
Prof Sangeeta Thapliyal, Chairperson, Centre for Inner Asian Studies, JNU, New Delhi emphasized on an important shift in India's policy towards neighbours when Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited all the state heads of South Asia in his swearing-in ceremony of 2014.
The speaker placed her lecture in the backdrop of India's global ascendance and how it impacts India's neighbours.
Prof. Thapliyal stressed that South Asian countries have to cooperate with each other on the issue of economic development, non-traditional threats, and calamities.
Interestingly, India did focus on these sectors with neighbouring countries; a recent example is the Covid-19 pandemic. Under Prime Minister Modi, India's political interests are guiding the country's foreign policy.
She maintained that India's neighbouring states will improve when they show willingness in this direction, as India, Nepal and Butan have shown remarkable progress at the sub-regional level.
Prof Thapliyal acknowledged that India was indeed a factor of domestic politics in Bangladesh and Nepal, but now India is trying to manage a shift in the neighbourhood by focusing more on in the sectors of electricity, roadways, railways, airways etc.
Prof Thapliyal further underlined that India's paradigm shift with development in focus is bringing dynamic change in the neighbourhood.
Earlier, Prof. Virender Koundal, Director, Department of Strategic and Regional Studies formally welcomed the Chief Guest, Prof. Naresh Padha and the Speaker Prof. Sangeeta Thapliyal, and other dignitaries.
Dr. Mohd. Monir Alam presented the vote of thanks. Vasundra Raje conducted the proceeding of the seminar in a graceful manner.
This public lecture was attended by Dr. Surinder Mohan,Dr. Rajesh Chib, Dr. Ganesh Malhotra, Dr. Niharika Subash, Dr. Bhanu Pratap, Dr. Tirath Pratap, Dr. Ashwani, Dr. Tarsem Singh, many eminent academicians, journalists, member of the civil society research scholars and PG students of the department.
