President Murmu Inaugurates Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2025: Charting India’s Strategic Future Amid Global Shifts
In a significant event underscoring India’s commitment to strategic defence discourse, President Droupadi Murmu graced the inaugural session of the third edition of the Indian Army’s Seminar, ‘Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2025’, held in New Delhi today. This two-day seminar brings together military leaders, policymakers, experts, and stakeholders to deliberate on pressing issues in national security, defence reforms, and global geopolitical dynamics. Named after the ancient strategist Chanakya, the dialogue aims to foster innovative thinking and policy recommendations that align with India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047, or Viksit Bharat.
Event Overview: A Platform for Strategic Insights
The Chanakya Defence Dialogue, organized by the Indian Army, has evolved into a premier forum since its inception. This year’s edition focuses on themes such as the evolving geopolitical landscape, multi-domain warfare, and the integration of emerging technologies in defence strategies. Attendees include senior military officials, defence analysts, and representatives from allied nations, making it a melting pot for ideas that could shape India’s defence posture. The seminar’s discussions are expected to culminate in actionable insights for policymakers, emphasizing the need for adaptability in an era of rapid technological and geopolitical changes.
President Murmu’s Address: Highlighting Professionalism and Patriotism
In her keynote address, President Murmu lauded the Indian Armed Forces for their unwavering professionalism and patriotism in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty. She highlighted their versatility in handling diverse challenges, from conventional warfare to counter-insurgency operations and humanitarian assistance. A key mention was the recent ‘Operation Sindoor’, which she described as a pivotal moment in India’s counter-terrorism and deterrence strategy.
“The recent success of Operation Sindoor stands as a defining moment in our counter-terror and deterrence strategy. The world took note not only of India’s military capability but of India’s moral clarity to act firmly, yet responsibly, in the pursuit of peace.”
The President also underscored the armed forces’ contributions to national development, including infrastructure projects in border areas that enhance connectivity, tourism, and education. She emphasized India’s guiding principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family), positioning the country as a proponent of global peace while maintaining robust border defences.
Addressing Geopolitical Shifts and Multi-Domain Warfare
President Murmu delved into the rapidly changing global environment, noting how power centers, technological disruptions, and shifting alliances are reshaping international relations. She pointed out the emergence of new domains of conflict:
“Today’s geopolitical landscape is changing rapidly. The international system is being rewritten by contesting power centres, technological disruptions and shifting alliances. New domains of competition – cyber, space, information and cognitive warfare are blurring the lines between peace and conflict.”
While the address did not explicitly detail AI or quantum technologies, it implicitly called for their integration into defence strategies to address these multi-domain challenges. Discussions at the seminar are likely to expand on how India can leverage such technologies to enhance cyber resilience, space capabilities, and information warfare tactics, ensuring a future-ready force.
Outcomes and Policy Recommendations: Boosting Atmanirbhar Bharat
A core theme of the dialogue is self-reliance in defence, aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. President Murmu praised the Indian Army’s ‘Decade of Transformation’, which involves structural reforms, doctrinal updates, and capability enhancements to achieve indigenization. Expected outcomes include policy recommendations on increasing R&D investments, fostering public-private partnerships, and expanding youth engagement through programs like the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and sports initiatives. The inclusion of women in the forces was highlighted as a step toward gender inclusivity and national strength.
These recommendations could influence upcoming defence budgets, potentially allocating more funds toward indigenous technology development and border infrastructure, thereby reducing dependency on imports and bolstering economic growth through the defence sector.
Implications for QUAD and Bilateral Ties
Though not directly addressed in the President’s speech, the seminar’s focus on geopolitical shifts has broader implications for India’s international partnerships. In the context of Indo-Pacific security, insights from the dialogue could strengthen collaborations within the QUAD (India, US, Japan, Australia) framework, particularly in areas like maritime security and joint exercises. Bilateral ties with nations like France and the UK may also benefit from shared discussions on multi-domain operations, paving the way for co-development of technologies and enhanced interoperability.
Looking Ahead: Toward Viksit Bharat
President Murmu expressed confidence that the seminar’s deliberations would provide valuable inputs for national policy, urging the armed forces to continue striving for excellence. As India navigates complex global challenges, events like the Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2025 serve as critical platforms for strategic foresight. With a forward-looking approach, these insights could shape defence strategies for 2026 and beyond, contributing to a secure and prosperous India by 2047.
This inaugural session sets a promising tone for the seminar, reinforcing India’s resolve to blend tradition with innovation in its defence narrative.
