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Following is the full text of the address of Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee delivered at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Institutional Complex of the Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA) here today.
“Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Prakash, Members of the IDSA, Executive Council, Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is indeed a proud privilege for me to be here today, at the new premises of the IDSA. This is my second tenure as President, IDSA - though I have with considerable interest followed the evolution of the Institute from Lajpat Nagar to Sapru House to the present location at the Old JNU campus. However, historically, the most significant is, 10 Janpath, the birthplace of IDSA in 1965. Established under the visionary guidance of the late Sri YB Chavan, it is indeed appropriate that in the 40th Anniversary year we are able to lay the Foundation Stone for the new institutional complex of the IDSA. When completed, these premises will provide the wherewithal for the future growth of the IDSA. As I envision it, with the USI, the Centre for UN Peacekeeping, the DRDO c! omplex and the IDSA, all contiguous to each other, this area will become a nodal point for India's strategic thinkers. My only caveat is that it should not become an oasis for all thought and no action!!
I am happy to note that the residential complex for the IDSA is nearing completion and the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), its able Engineers and the construction staff ought to be commended for the manner in which they have maintained the time schedule of the project. Similarly, the Institutional Area - as pointed out by Sri Rai - has a contemporary design and state of the art infrastructure that would make IDSA, a truly world class establishment. As all of you represent the extended family of the IDSA, today is indeed a very special day for all of us.
The IDSA has a rare pedigree with illustrious strategic thinkers as its former Directors and research faculty. Sri K Subrahmanyam laid the foundation for the IDSA in the formative years and it has gradually but definitively emerged as the leading strategic and security studies think-tank in the country. The major intellectual role of the IDSA has been in providing objective analysis and effective policy options relating to contemporary strategic and security challenges facing the nation. Over the years the IDSA has made a very valuable contribution to the security discourse and public awareness in India - particularly in the nuclear deterrence domain. However the 40th Anniversary is also a time for introspection about future directions and concomitant challenges - and to build on the track record of the past. Currently the IDSA is going through a period of consolidation and growth, based on the recommendations made by various expert committees that will shape the future of the Institute. As President, it shall be my endeavour to maintain the autonomous character of the IDSA and strengthen the relationship with concerned government departments.
I have just returned from the United States and most of you in this audience are aware of the nature of global and regional security and strategic dynamic - and the manner in which this impacts India. While governments have certain responsibilities to discharge, it is the role of the academic and the analyst - what is referred to as the Track II Constituency - to provide objective and rigorously analysed inputs on matters pertaining to national security. Currently the relevance of India is increasing in every aspect of national capability but at the same time we have a number of challenges! - both internal and external that need to be addressed in an astute and calibrated manner. The Ayodhya incident of July 5 is just one example of the immediacy and complexity of the spectrum of challenges that we face.
Against this backdrop, the contribution of scholars and academics is all the more important. I am confident that the new complex of the IDSA when completed will provide the appropriate infrastructure to nurture future generations of Indian security and strategic scholarship. The Indian ground reality is unique in many ways and hence there is a need to evolve appropriate theoretical and analytical interpretations and not be captive to the dominant security discourses of the day. The ultimate strategic challenge for India is to attain comprehensive national security across all determinants - such that the less privileged cross section of the country is not ignored or forgotten.
In this context I was particularly gratified to learn that the IDSA and the building contractor have undertaken to provide the 60 plus children of the construction workers the material support and related impetus to study and acquire rudimentary education. While on the site, these children will be given basic study material, slates, chalks, primary books and regular visits by the IDSA research faculty. This is commendable venture, and I compliment the IDSA staff for this initiative.
In conclusion I would like to place on record the role played by the DRDO and the members of various committees who have conceived and guided this project to its present stage. Thank you ladies and gentlemen for your attention.”
SS / HS
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