20170628-homeland-security-conference-2017.JPGObjective of the Conference
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF), organised a two day conference at the FICCI House, New Delhi on May 24-25, 2017 on the theme, “Homeland Security 2017 – Modernisation of India’s Internal Security Mechanism”
The conference objective was to bring together policy experts and senior officers belonging to the central Armed Police Forces, State Police departments, Intelligence community, Industry and scholars from academia and think tanks to discuss various challenges in identifying the right equipment and their procurement by the internal security forces in the Indian context. The panelists with vast and varied range of expertise in their respective domains, deliberated upon various challenges in the areas of policy, regulations, procurement processes, technological advancements and capacity building with the spirit to strengthen the homeland security mechanism of India to meet the challenges now and in the future. [Detailed conference agenda and list of participants are attached as appendices].
Inaugural Session
The keynote address at the inaugural session was delivered by Gen N C Vij, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, former Chief of Army, founder Vice-Chairman National Disaster Management Authority and currently Director of Vivekananda International Foundation. Gen. Vij conceptualized the evolving concept of Homeland Security in the Indian context and highlighted its significance in the rapidly changing internal security dynamics of India.
He underscored the need for Government-Industry-Agency dialogue, which will enable the security forces to deal with all forms of conventional or non-conventional challenges posed to the national security of the country. General Vij, extensively analysed the specific current challenges to the internal security of India like the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Left Wing Extremism (LWE), Insurgency in the North East, safeguarding of critical infrastructure, Cyber Security and evolving challenge posed by growing radicalisation through various conventional and non-conventional means. He acclaimed various initiatives taken by the Ministry of Home Affairs in order to strengthen the Homeland Security architecture of the country and appealed the Industry representatives from India and abroad to contribute their might through various flagship programs of the government like Make in India, Digital India etc.
Technologies for Homeland Security
In the first session dedicated to the theme of Technologies for Homeland Security,opened with a special address by Dr. V. K. Saraswat, Member Niti Aayog and Former DG, DRDO. A renowned scientist, Dr. Saraswat comprehensively conceptualized the evolution of technology in the field of security from independence to till date. While highlighting the relevance of advanced technology, he emphasized the need for qualitative research and development with an innovative approach. He further stressed the need for indigenous development of technology and its real significance in development of strong homeland security infrastructure in the country.
Prof Gautam Sen, Adjunct Professer, NIAS Banglore, in his remarks provided the framework of Homeland Security in the Indian context and identified various disruptive elements like revolutionary movements, Secessionist elements, terrorism, spread of radicalization through various means, and Insurgency as some prominent elements which posed challenge to the national security of India. He laid special emphasis on the role of strong private indigenous enterprises in ensuring uninterrupted technological edge to the country’s national security mechanism. He also cautioned that security mechanism based on past experiences are no longer relevant; but needed to be very futuristic in approach. Prof. Sen added that such an approach will open up opportunities for the industry to chip in and strengthen the security framework of country.
Mr Didier Bonnet, Expert Infantry Advisor from Safran Electronics and Defense gave the French perspective onHomeland Security and showcased the capabilities of French industry. Mr Mkhitaryan Akop, Chief Commercial Officer of Speech Technology Center gave the Russian perspective of Homeland Security.
Procurement Transformation
In the Second Session, discussion on procurement transformation for CAPFs and State police was facilitated under the Chairmanship of Shri Rajiv Mathur, IPS, Former Director, Intelligence Bureau. Shri Mathur outlined various challenges restraining the overall procurement transformation of agencies and facilitated an interactive session on various facets of policies and guidelines for public procurement. He also emphasized upon the need for qualitative research base which will support the forces and law enforcing agencies with cutting edge technologies in accordance with rapidly evolving challenges in security domain. He stressed on the need for the private sector to play an enhanced role in the management of internal security to harness the potential of the Make in India as well as the Startup India schemes, and suggested setting up of a permanent interface of the Govt with the private sector which can provide a forum for free flow of ideas between the corporate sector and the internal security forces.
On behalf of Central Reserve Police Force, various procurement initiatives and measures for the smooth processing of requirements were explained by Ms Anupam Kulshreshtha, IPS, IG (Prov). The Industrial perspective was represented by Mr Ashwini Channan, Director, Honewell India group.
Interaction with Senior Officials of CAPFs and State Police Forces
In the next session devoted to candid and frank discussion between industry representatives and Central Armed Police Forces was chaired by Shri P.C. Haldar, Former Director Intelligence Bureau. Shri Haldar outlined the critical importance of the role played by the Central Armed Police Forces in the overall scheme of ensuring internal security management in coordination with the state police forces.
As lead speaker of the session Shri O.P. Singh, Director General, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) emphasised upon the technological deficiency aspect which is considered to be the biggest challenge facing the security agencies at present. Shri A. P. Maheshwari, IPS, Additional Director General, Border Security Force gave a comprehensive account of the on ground challenges faced by the law enforcing agencies ranging from plateau to the high altitude region in the Himalayas.
Industry perspective was represented in a very candid and structured expose by Shri Rahul Chaudhry, CEO, Tata power SED.
Perspective on Police Modernisation
The fourth session was chaired by veteran Police Officer Shri Prakash Singh, IPS, Former Director General, Border Security Force. The theme of the session was perspective on Police Modernisation.
Shri Singh who is known as the authority on the subject of Police reforms, provided a comprehensive outline of police reforms and its significance for the national security. He prominently focused on the phenomenon of policing which has evolved from the conventional days to today’s smart policing days. He also emphasised upon the proactive approach on the part of lead institutions like Bureau of Police Research and Development to act as catalyst of police modernisation and transform the concept of Policing in India.
Shri Krishna Chaudhary, IPS, Director General, Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBPF) gave a realistic perspective about utility of technology for CAPFs. He strongly appealed to the industry to invest more on qualitative research and development which should be in tune with the requirements of the forces. He emphasised upon quality driven procurement process rather than vendor driven process, which will enable natural and speedy movement of CAPF and other agencies on field locations known for various geographical and environmental complexities.
Need for High-end Technologies
In the concluding session, Shri Alok Joshi, IPS, Chairman, National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO), Government of India, outlined the evolution of the concept of Homeland Security in India from the baton days to the contemporary era dominated by technological innovations and ideas. Shri Joshi deliberated upon the relevance of high-end technologies and the challenges faced by the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and law enforcing agencies. He further informed that high end technology demands customised, speedy and handy technology which could be delivered as per the customised requirement of agencies working in their respective domains. Besides, the emerging challenges posed by possible dual use of technology needs to be studied in greater depth. He further underscored the need of social media analysis in time bound manner. Thus, industry can provide greater techniques and facilitate speedy data analysis to scan, analyse, real time tracking, technology to process data in real time. Thus, a strong emphasis was given on speedy and time bound analysis of Big Data.
In his special address, Mr. Satish Chandra Jha, Advisor, NTRO, referred to the need for development of security awareness in the society which will facilitate speedy and comprehensive development of the Homeland Security concept in India. While simplifying the concept of high-end technology, he defined it as a technology which is speedy, handy and relevant to the present day and oriented towards an assured secure future. Therefore, timely interaction between industry and agencies would provide greater understanding about the needs of the CAPFs and agencies. This would strengthen the homeland security structure and enable it with suitable capabilities to deal with the evolving complex threat matrix, Shri Jha added.
Valedictory Session
The Valedictory Address was delivered by Mr. K. M. Singh, IPS, Former Member NDMA & Former DG, CISF. Mr. Singh alluded to the importance of human resources development in the police force, strongly emphasizing on quality and well trained human resources as a prerequisite for developing capabilities of the agencies responsible for internal security of India.
He further highlighted the need to build a robust cyber security framework, well supported by indigenous industry and for this, he suggested development of a technically qualified cadre in the CAPFs and the State Police forces to tackle cyber and high-tech crimes. While summing up the overall phenomenon of Homeland Security, Shri K M Singh complimented the industries for their contribution to the internal security of India and expressed hope that in future the industries will co-operate with the agencies for securing the future of the country.
Click here for Full Programme Deatils
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