Raj Sadosh/Abohar.
The Gyan Shakti Think Tank (GSTT), under the aegis of Sapta Shakti Command, organised an insightful seminar titled “The China Challenge” at Jaipur Military Station. The event was graced by Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh, Army Commander, Sapta Shakti Command. Eminent speakers, including Lieutenant General SL Narasimhan (Retd), Ambassador Gautam Bambawale, Ambassador Satish Mehta and Ms Elizabeth Roche, Professor of International Relations at Jindal University, shared valuable perspectives on the subject.
The seminar examined India’s relationship with China amid the latter’s rapid economic growth, rising military capabilities, advancing technological superiority and expanding manufacturing prowess in both civilian and defence sectors. These developments are enabling China to shift the balance of power in its favour. The panel highlighted China’s growing footprint in India’s neighbourhood and beyond, compounded by India’s reliance on it for critical minerals and prevailing geopolitical uncertainties. The speakers presented compelling facts and statistics to support their analyses while suggesting strategies to counter China’s expanding influence.
In his closing remarks, the Army Commander emphasised the need to remain updated on geopolitical and economic developments in the region, particularly those discussed in the seminar. He noted that interactions with such a distinguished panel—comprising former Ambassadors to China, Pakistan, Kuwait, Nepal & Bhutan, a former Defence Attaché to China and renowned academicians -- would greatly enrich the understanding of young leaders within the formation on international affairs. He expressed gratitude to the panelists for their time and insights.