Lt. Gen. V.R. Raghavan (Retd)

Lt. Gen. V.R. Raghavan (Retd)
Founder President,
Centre for Security Analysis


Your Excellency Mr. Ramamohan Rao, Governor of Tamil Nadu, Mr. J.N. Dixit, the keynote speaker, Dr. Gowher Rizvi, Ford Foundation Representative, Vice Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Dr. S. Ignacimuthu SJ, Mr. N. Ravi, Editor, The Hindu, members of the diplomatic corps, ladies and gentlemen,

Thank you for being with the Centre for Security Analysis at its inaugural event. Your presence is reflective of the wide interest in Chennai on matters related to security. The Governor's presence is an encouragement to us in the endeavour to address the question of security in its widest meaning. It is also indicative of the importance the state and the government attach to issues concerning security.

Let me start by explaining the background to the Centre for Security Analysis. In the last two decades there has been a significant evolution in the idea of security. Security remains the central dynamic of human existence. Every human activity is directed towards obtaining a measure of security. The state and its governments also function to provide this existential need of its citizens. On the other hand, the idea of security has begun to be contested in recent years. This has happened due to new ideas concerning security coming into prominence. The traditional notion of the nation state has been contested by the principle of security seen as the well being of the citizens. Since territorial security has been adequately ensured by the state, that of its citizens has now become an important part of the security discourse.

Security as the well being of the citizens involves not only absence of inter state military conflicts. It also includes security in economic, societal, political, environmental in addition to armed security. The freedom to follow economic choices, to pursue societal beliefs, to hold political beliefs and to safeguard the environment for future generations are also related to security. Policies which reduce such freedoms or threaten these components of citizens' security, cannot satisfy the citizens' aspirations, even if the nation's territorial boundaries are secured through military capabilities. Human security is therefore a growing demand in all nations and amongst all peoples. Instead of viewing the traditional military dimensions of security as separate from the needs of human security, there is need to view them in inclusive terms. The concept of Comprehensive Security offers that inclusive and constructive approach to security analysis and planning.

There has been a marked absence of independent and autonomous institutional base for Security analysis in India. Security analysis has therefore remained the preserve of state supported organizations, or, of government agencies and departments. A few attempts at independent analysis that are ongoing have remained concentrated in New Delhi. This is also the case in most major capitals of the world. There has been a long felt need to create a facility for security analysis in other parts of our subcontinent-sized country. The choice of Chennai as the location for the Centre was made by two decisive factors. First, the need for a security perspective from the states of southern India was an exciting idea. These states have long tradition of better governance, higher literacy rates, greater social cohesion and positive economic indicators. They represent forward looking governments and political leadership. Peninsular India and its states have unique needs and perceptions of comprehensive security. These need to be both articulated and sustained, through studies and public discourse. There is also a need to build capacity in southern region in the discipline of security analysis. The second reason was the high quality of assets Chennai offered. It is the cultural and historical pivot of peninsular India. It retains a composite and cosmopolitan character. It represents all elements of comprehensive security listed earlier. The city has a long tradition of intellectual rigour. It has an internationally recognized University with a defence studies department. Chennai boasts the most respected print media icon of The Hindu. Chennai offered every geographical and intellectual advantage needed for starting the centre.

The Centre plans to create awareness in the region on matters concerning security. This will be undertaken through studies, seminars, conferences, lectures, in Chennai and other southern states. The Centre will be involved in collaborative effort with similar orgainisations and individuals in building capacity. It will seek and sustain a cooperative and collaborative range of activities with government departments, agencies, legislators and political and social groups. The Centre will offer security analysis Fellowships to carefully selected individuals. The Founding Members of the Centre are conscious of the need to balance the gender representation in all its work. In time the Centre will collaborate with similar organizations in countries of south and south east Asia.

The creation of the Centre has been made possible by a grant form the Ford Foundation whose representative Dr. Gowher Rizvi is present amongst us. Ford Foundation has broken new ground by supporting the initiative of creating such a Centre in Chennai. The Centre is a non-profit organisation and would depend on grants and donations from supporters of its activity.

We are singularly fortunate in the presence fo the Governor Mr. Ramamohan Rao to make the inaugural address. He has rendered distinguished service and has long experience in the field of security. As one of India's most distinguished members of the Police force he has worked for the well being and safety of both the citizens and the state. He is better aware than most, of the close links between economic, societal, political and environmental components of security. His inaugural address is being keenly awaited.

The Keynote Speaker for today is Mr. J.N. Dixit. A former Foreign Secretary of India, he has held ambassadorial positions in critically important countries around India. He was Ambassador in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and served in many other countries. Mr. Dixit has authored many books on foreign policy related issues and these books have become essential readings for policy makers and analysts. He has for long taken the view that security is more than military capability and an amalgam of the components which make for human and composite security. His talk on security Perspectives for India will be heard and assimilated with the greatest of interest.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Thank you very much for your attention and for being present on this occasion.