STRATEGIC DISCOURSE ON ARUNACHAL PRADESH CONCLUDES AT DINJAN MILITARY STATION
The Indian Army successfully hosted a strategic seminar on “Arunachal Pradesh – India Centric Geospace” on 05 and 06 March 2025 at Dinjan Military Station, bringing together military leaders, strategic analysts, academicians and policymakers for an insightful dialogue on the region’s significance in India’s geopolitical and developmental landscape.
The seminar delved into key strategic dimensions, including the ecological and economic ramifications of exploitation of Tibetan resources, the cultural and historical ties of Arunachal Pradesh with Northeast, heartland India and the state’s infrastructure and tourism potential as a driver of growth and security in the region. The discussions highlighted Arunachal Pradesh’s emerging role as a frontier of national security, economic stability and cultural unity.
The event featured an array of distinguished speakers from diverse domains, including renowned geopolitical experts, senior military officials, policy analysts and media professionals, who provided critical insights into Arunachal Pradesh’s strategic imperatives. Among the key speakers were Mr Uttam Kumar Sinha (MP-IDSA), Mr Abhijeet Kashliwal (CWC), Prof Jogendra Nath Sarma (Dibrugarh University), and Mr Samiran Goswami (NEEPCO), who deliberated on the ecological and economic consequences of large-scale exploitation of Tibetan resources and its cascading effects on India’s environmental security and economic interests. In the session on cultural linkages, insights were shared by Mr Claude Arpi (Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence), Mr Vijay Swami (RIWATCH), Mr Jayadeva Ranade (Centre for China Analysis & Strategy), and Lieutenant General P C Nair, PVSM, AVSM, YSM (Retd), emphasising Arunachal Pradesh’s deep-rooted historical and cultural ties with Northeast India and the need to leverage *soft power and strategic engagement to counter external influences. The final session focused on infrastructure development and tourism, with valuable perspectives from *Group Captain Mohonto Panging, VM, (Retd)*, *Shri Niraj Kumar (Ministry of DoNER)*, *Mr Shiv Kunal Verma (Author)*, and *Mr Nitin A Gokhale (Media Entrepreneur)*, highlighting the state’s vast potential in tourism, connectivity and regional development.
The seminar saw an engaged and diverse participation from officers of the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Police Service, alongside college students, media professionals, researchers and policymakers. This cross-sectoral dialogue fostered a holistic understanding of Arunachal Pradesh’s strategic landscape, ensuring that military, academic and policy perspectives converged to shape a comprehensive vision for the region’s future.
The discussions reinforced the importance of securing Arunachal Pradesh through sustainable infrastructures development and diplomatic engagement. The event highlighted the role of local communities, traditional knowledge and regional initiatives in reinforcing Arunachal Pradesh’s national integration. The need for accelerated infrastructure development, economic corridors and tourism-driven growth was emphasised as a means to enhance deterrence and economic stability. Experts stressed the necessity of building narratives that highlight Arunachal Pradesh’s integral place in India’s national identity, countering adversarial propaganda.
By fostering meaningful exchanges between the military, academia and policy circles, the seminar reinforced the armed forces’ commitment to a well-informed, proactive approach in addressing emerging regional challenges. The success of this event underscores the importance of collaborative thought leadership in shaping India’s long-term strategic policies concerning Arunachal Pradesh.
