Kolkata, 23rd May 2025 — As part of its centenary celebrations, the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), in collaboration with the Centre for Eastern and North Eastern Regional Studies-Kolkata (CENERS-K), held a high-level discussion titled “Global & Regional Geo-Politics, Security & Economics – In a World of Uncertainty.” The event brought together prominent national leaders and strategic thinkers to examine the evolving global order, security imperatives, and regional dynamics.
The discussion featured an esteemed panel including Mr. M.K. Narayanan, Former National Security Advisor and Former Governor of West Bengal; Mr. Manish Tewari, Member of Parliament; Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha (Retd.), President of CENERS-K; Mr. Ashok Kantha, Former Ambassador to China; Dr. Swapan Dasgupta, Former MP; and Dr. Rajeev Singh, Director General of ICC.
In his address, Mr. Manish Tewari highlighted the persistent relevance of state sovereignty amid global transformations. He emphasized India’s complex security environment, marked by strategic challenges from neighbouring countries including Pakistan, China, and Bangladesh. “Strategic realism and clarity must guide India’s response to evolving threats,” he asserted, referencing recent operations as evidence of India’s firm approach to regional security.
Mr. M.K. Narayanan provided a comprehensive analysis of the global security climate, describing it as one of “shambolic disorder.” He noted the decline of U.S. global leadership and the erosion of the rules-based international order. Praising India’s commitment to its ‘No First Use’ nuclear policy, he warned of the catastrophic consequences of any nuclear conflict with Pakistan.
Addressing the rise of China, Narayanan described its tactics as “calibrated provocations” driven by civilizational motives. He urged for a diplomatic posture rooted in India’s cultural strength and strategic patience. He also stressed the growing role of cyber warfare and artificial intelligence in modern conflict, citing the Ukraine war as a case in point. “Algorithms and autonomous systems are redefining the nature of warfare,” he cautioned.
Concluding with a philosophical reflection, Narayanan quoted the Isha Upanishad to warn against blind faith in technology and knowledge without wisdom: “Into a dark darkness enter those who dwell in ignorance; into a darker darkness enter those who worship knowledge.”
Additional insights were offered by Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha (Retd.), Mr. Ashok Kantha, and Dr. Swapan Dasgupta, who explored themes of strategic autonomy, ideological contestation, and India’s diplomatic positioning in a volatile world.
The event marked a significant moment in ICC’s centenary year, reaffirming its role as a platform for meaningful discourse on issues of national and global importance.
