(The following is a transcript of the presentation made by Dr Ranjana Kaul at the Vivekananda International Foundation during a joint roundtable with Indian Space Foundation on 18 January 2023) The world is moving towards contestation of the ‘Outer Space’ wherein efforts are shifting from exploration to ‘commercialization’. There are increasing efforts and investments by major space powers to develop cutting edge disruptive capabilities. At the same time, several new nations are showing increased interest in adopting space technology at a scale, not seen before.

Over the years Vimarsh has emerged as a leading platform to facilitate interaction between the eminent people and the general public. The VIF is guided by the life and message of Swami Vivekananda who had a deep and abiding faith in Indian civilization and its spiritual heritage. On 13 March 2023, the Vimarsh talk was given by Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Admiral R Hari Kumar.

… India must become the bulwark of an alternative Asian and international security system … in this context India’s continental threat gravitates on the defensive construct of ‘not ceding an inch of territory,’ and limited-depth offensives. This goes against the very fundamental doctrinal premises of the employment of offensive air power followed by all Air Forces ...

Vivekananda International Foundation and DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) together have interactions in which eminent and distinguished speakers from DRDO have given presentations to the think tanks, industry, startups, military, and civil society. These presentations were towards contributing to the strategic and technology environment.