Vivekananda International Foundation | Seeking Harmony in Diversity

1947-48 Indo-Pak War: Fall of Gilgit and Siege and Fall of Skardu

Part- I: Fall of Gilgit India has fought many conventional wars since independence; it has also been involved in fighting insurgency and proxy wars during this period. Many heroes that these wars produced have become household names. However, these wars also produced heroes who remain unsung; whose stories of bravery and gallantry are not so well known. One such story is recounted here. Click here to read full Paper

July 22, 2013 Paper

Maoist Insurgency in India: Impending Escalation and Dimensions of The State’s Armed Response

Lt Gen Gautam Banerjee, Editor, VIF

Resurgence of Maoist Violence Since the mid-2011 or so, the intensity of Maoist insurgency had somewhat been less spectacular as compared to the preceding years. Indeed, there had been many Maoist-Police encounters during this time, mostly in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, but the frequency of such incidents had shown a definite downslide. Click here to read full Paper

June 27, 2013 Paper

India Internal Security Challenges and Responses

Prakash Singh

Kautilya wrote in the Arthashastra that a state could be at risk from four different kinds of threats – internal, external, externally-aided internal and internally-aided external. The internal security scenario in India has a mix of all the shades of threats visualized by Kautilya. It is indeed a dismal scenario. Click here to read full Paper

June 19, 2013 Paper

Vimarsha on Islamic Radicalism in South Asia – Implications for India: A talk with Shri Hiranmay Karlekar

On 28th May 2013, VIF organized Vimarsha, where eminent author and columnist Hiranmay Karlekar delivered an enlightening lecture on “Islamic Radicalism in South Asia – Implications for India”. The session was chaired by Ajit Doval, KC, Director VIF, who succinctly summed up various dimensions of the subject that were to be addressed.

May 31, 2013 Event Report

Round Table Discussion on Chinese Intrusion in Ladakh

A meeting to discuss the implications of the Chinese intrusion in Ladakh was held at the VIF on 26 April 2013. Gen NC Vij, former COAS briefed a select group of former diplomats and Army officers on the issue. Among those present included Mr Ajit Doval, KC, Director VIF, Ambassador Kanwal Sibal, Ambassador Rajiv Sikri, Lt Gen RK Sawhney (Retd), Brig Vinod Anand (Retd) and Brig Gurmeet Kanwal (Retd). Gen Vij began by situating the location of the intrusion and terrain configuration of the general area.

May 03, 2013 Event Report

Seminar on Refugees In Their Own Homeland : Travails of Kashmiri Pandits

A seminar was organized jointly by Vivekananda International Foundation and Patriots’ Forum in the VIF Conference Hall at New Delhi, on 20th April 2013, on the subject ‘ Refugees In Their Own Homeland :Travails Of Kashmiri Pandits ‘.

May 02, 2013 Event Report

Vimarsha: Security Implications of Contemporary Political Environment in India with Dr. Sudhir S. Bloeria

Implication of the contemporary political environment in India on matters of national security is critically important, considering all the three factors of internal stability, rule of law and the larger geo-politics of the Indian Sub-continent. For a better understanding and assessment of the ground realities, Dr. Sudhir S. Bloeria, Vice Chancellor of the Central University of Jammu & Kashmir and Former Chief Secretary of Jammu & Kashmir, delivered a talk on 22 February 2013 in VIF’s monthly series of talks, Vimarsha.

February 27, 2013 Event Report

The Role of Ballistic Missile Defence in The Emerging India-China Strategic Balance

Brig Vinod Anand, Senior Fellow, VIF

India and China have been pursuing essentially a two pronged strategy in Asia, particularly in the Indian Ocean region. On the one hand, they are engaged in a growing economic partnership with a moderating influence on the strategic competition. On the other hand, they have been relentless in their pursuit of a militarily advantageous position in the region. The equation, however, is not comparable, with India having to account for Pakistan, while China has to contend with a US-Taiwan partnership.

January 15, 2013 Paper

VIF Viewpoint : Pakistan violates Line of Control, decapitation of Indian soldier

The latest incident across the Line of Control (LoC), and the killing and decapitation of an Indian soldier, highlights yet again the challenge that Pakistan poses to our security and diplomacy. Further, this act cannot be discounted as a local incident as it bears all the hallmarks of having been deliberately planned and executed at a higher level within the Pakistan Army. Two things are clear.

January 09, 2013 Event Report

Vimarsha on National Security: Challenges and Responses a talk with General (retd) VK Singh

The former Army Chief General (retd) VK Singh, addressed a distinguished gathering at the VIF’s monthly Vimarsha series of talks by eminent persons, held on 24 September, 2012. He enlightened the audience about the broad spectrum of security challenges currently facing India, through a stimulating yet incisive talk, captioned ‘National Security: Challenges and Responses’.

October 02, 2012 Event Report