The
Centre for Security Analysis and National Centre
of International Security and Defence Analysis (NISDA),
University of Pune in association with the Department
of Defence and Strategic Studies, University of Madras
conducted a workshop on Essential Components of National
Security on September 22-23, 2006 in Chennai.
The
approach to security studies is undergoing a major transformation
in the post-Cold War period. Although the nation-state
remains the primary unit of analysis, the emergence of
a variety of non-state actors has led to new threats that
require new approaches. While traditional security concerns
like military security remain relevant, the focus of national
security is shifting to include non-traditional aspects
of security. With security studies in a state of flux,
the teaching community is trying to come to terms with
the dynamic nature of the field and to revise the curricula
to be in sync with current developments. The workshop
was held primarily to address the demands arising from
the evolving state of the discipline and make practical
suggestions that faculty of security studies could incorporate
into their teaching programs.
Prof.
Amitabh Mattoo, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu,
delivered the keynote address. Prof. Mattoo highlighted
the changing nature of India's approach to national security
and also noted the continuing absence of a grand strategy
that would shape India's national security policy. Lt.
Gen. V.R. Raghavan (retd), President, Centre for Security
Analysis, Prof. Gopalji Malviya, Founder Member, Centre
for Security Analysis, and Prof. Gautam Sen, Director,
NISDA, also spoke during the inaugural session.
