Though the war is over the conflict still persists. Residual effects and related problems of the three decade civil war still looms large over the Sri Lankan Government. Post war efforts of Sri Lanka are keenly observed by the International Community.  CSA organized  a roundtable discussion with Ambassador Jon Westborg, Special Envoy –South Asia, Norwegian Ministry for Foreign Affairs .He was former Ambassador to Sri Lanka (1996-2003), and former Ambassador to India (2003-2007). While the discourse on conflict resolution in Sri Lanka remains narrowly focused on political devolution, he emphasized on a broader and more integrated approach to conflict resolution. He also stressed on the transformation of the Sri Lankan Diaspora into agents of development and called for a multi-pronged strategy involving the international community, the Sri Lankan government, private enterprise and civil society. He acknowledged that resettling of the IDPs continues to be a major challenge for the Sri Lankan Government. Amb Westborg outlined Norway’s interest in engaging India and Sri Lanka for a stable world order and also enhancing the economic ties between them. He briefly touched upon the Chinese interest in Sri Lanka which he said was more of strategic than economic. He reiterated Norway’s support to India’s stand on the expansion of UN Security Council and the permanent seat in the UNSC.

Mr N Sathiyamoorthy (Director, ORF Chennai Chapter) chaired and moderated the discussion.

Roundtable Discussion
European Security Perspectives
April 16, 2010

Mr Charles Grant is the founder and Director  of the Centre for European Reform (CER) United Kingdom, an independent think-tank that works on the future of the EU, including its economic policy, foreign and security policy, co-operation on justice and home affairs, and institutions. His areas of interest are EU’s foreign and defence policy, transatlantic relations, Russia, China, the future of Europe debate and the euro. He is the author of many CER publications, including, most recently, Preparing for the multipolar world: European foreign and security policy in 2020 (2007); Can Europe and China shape a new world order? (2008); Is Europe doomed to fail as a power? (2009); and Cameron’s Europe: can the Conservatives achieve their EU objectives? (2009). 

Mr Charles Grant opened the discussion by recalling as to how the European Union could manage to remain out of the shadow of recent Economic crisis. He credited this to the strong and stringent fiscal policies of the member countries.  He also gave a brief overview of the internal tensions within the member states of EU, as to how member states have different perspectives on the global security issues and also on the immediate neighbor hood. Though EU is moving closer to a Common Security and Defence Policy, still does not have a genuine common foreign policy. Lack of political will is often considered to be the main cause. EU-NATO relations were also touched upon and the differences among the member states on the deployment of the peacekeeping forces in conflict areas were discussed in brief. Economic and trade relations between EU–India have gained momentum,  however, he stressed on better political engagement between the two. He also pointed out the possible areas of cooperation in climate change, global governance, intelligence sharing and counter terrorism activities. Charles Grant raised the question as to why India is not taking proactive steps and not involving fully on various global issues. During the discussion, it emerged that there seems to be a perception that the Government of India appeared to be moving cautiously on sensitive issues and involving progressively to the extent of defending its commitment. 

Talk by Lt. Gen (Retd) V. R Raghavan on "New Emphasis on Internal Security” at CII on Friday 29th January 2010. 

Confederation of Indian Industry, Southern Region (CII, SR) organized a two day seminar on the subject “Advanced Technologies in Security Systems- Securing Business and Beyond”. Lt. Gen Raghavan, President, CSA was invited to chair the first session and also to present a paper. He presented a paper “New Emphasis on Internal Security”.  In his talk he covered the enhanced emphasis on internal security in the Indian Security discourse. Since independence Indian security perceptions were dominated by external military threats. The end of the cold war witnessed a change in the nature of external military threats. India’s economic growth and its status have made it into the dominant power in South Asia. On the other hand international terrorism with its global network is now capable of striking at almost all countries. Within India, the threat from Naxal and Maoist forces has grown exponentially. These threats have been characterized by the Indian Prime Minister as the most serious national security threat. Internal security has therefore become the dominant strategic discourse in India. Mr Rothin Bhattacharyya, Chairman, CII SR, after the conference thanked Lt Gen Raghavan for chairing the session and commended his speech as “….. extraordinary and well received by the audience”.

Talk by Lt Gen (Retd) V.R Raghavan on “Changing Perceptions of Security” at ORF Chennai Chapter on  Saturday 23^rd  January 2010

In his presentation, Lt Gen Raghavan touched on the shift in focus from nation-centric traditional security to more comprehensive citizen- centric, non traditional security - the well being and betterment of the human life. Traditionally, security has been defined in geo-political terms and confined to relationships among nation-states, dealing with the balance of power and military strategy. On the hand, individuals, families, and communities are threatened by a variety of factors in addition to military security, and these other factors such as food , energy , environment, economic, information technology are often more significant to them than traditional military security.

The traditional concept of security was always in the centre stage in international politics. Since September 11, 2001, non traditional security has become dominant and an inseparable part of security studies in the new millennium. The new type of security concerns stem from growing empowerment of non- state actors, such as separatist movements, religious cults, extremists and insurgents. Internal conflicts/civil wars enmesh neighbouring states in form of cross border migration and support to insurgents. Many of these challenges have implications on national security.

Roundtable Discussion
Review of British Strategy in Afghanistan
Current Political Developments in Sri Lanka
December 2, 2009 

Since the Obama Administration took office in early 2009, there have been several discussions and debates about the new administration's approach towards Afghanistan and the region's security and  what steps key US allies such as the United Kingdom will take. Against the backdrop of the steadily diminishing legitimacy of the Afghanistan government, increasing corruption and the unpopularity of  the Western military presence within NATO countries, the strategies of the US and the UK have been viewed critically by several scholars and strategic thinkers. CSA held a roundtable discussion with Mr. Nigel Casey, the British Deputy High Commissioner in Delhi and Mr. Mike Nithaviranakis, the British Deputy High Commissioner in Southern India on December 2, 2009. The diplomats discussed the situation in Afghanistan and UK's approach to the changing security environment and the challenges ahead in the region. The select audience at the discussion also had the opportunity to listen to Mr. N. Sathiyamoorthy's  (Director, ORF Chennai Chapter) review and assessment of the political developments in Sri Lanka

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