Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Friday stressed the need for technological self-reliance and indigenous defence production, warning that drug and arms trafficking posed serious national security challenges amid the changing nature of modern warfare.
Inaugurating the three-day 10th Military Literature Festival (MLF), Kataria, who is also the Chandigarh administrator, said emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), drones and advanced defence systems were rapidly transforming military operations.
Expressing concern over Punjab's drug menace, the Governor called for a deeper understanding of the international networks and larger forces sustaining the problem.
He highlighted the implications of drug and arms trafficking in the context of asymmetric warfare, underlining the need for a comprehensive approach to national security.
Kataria said technological advancement and indigenous defence capabilities were essential for strengthening India's preparedness in an increasingly unpredictable geopolitical environment.
๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ณ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ณ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ
The festival opened with discussions on contemporary warfare, global geopolitics, India's defence preparedness and the country's military heritage.
The inaugural session began with the screening of a short film, followed by an address by festival chairman Lt Gen Tajinder Singh Shergill (retd).
Addressing the gathering, Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari identified four major developments shaping the global security environment.
These included the growing importance of asymmetric and drone warfare, lessons from the Russia-Ukraine and US-Iran conflicts, the strategic significance of dual-use frontier technologies and the widening gap in defence expenditure among major global powers.
Tewari observed that the existing world order was undergoing profound disruption, with far-reaching consequences for international security.
Kataria also highlighted Chandigarh's longstanding association with the armed forces, noting the significant presence of serving and retired defence personnel in the city.
Recalling India's military history and conflicts since Independence, he paid tribute to the courage, sacrifice and professionalism of Indian soldiers.
He emphasised that national security required both military strength and a commitment to peace.
The Governor congratulated the organisers for bringing military literature, history, strategic thought and public engagement together through the festival.
An MLF magazine and a book were also released during the inaugural programme, which featured weapons displays and exhibitions.
๐ช๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐๐ถ๐ฎ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ณ๐น๐ถ๐ฐ๐ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ
A strategic session examined the Iran-Israel conflict and its implications for West Asia and global security.
Lt Gen K J Singh (retd) presented a historical and geopolitical assessment of Iran-Israel relations, tracing their evolution from cooperation between 1948 and 1978 to the transformation following the Iranian Revolution.
He also examined the Syrian civil war, the emergence of direct confrontation and the role of the regional Axis of Resistance involving Iran, Iraq and Lebanon.
Israeli strategic commentator Shay Gal discussed the ongoing conflict, US global interests and the significance of Jerusalem to the Israeli people.
He also addressed US-Pakistan strategic relations and distinguished between a change of government and a fundamental transformation of a political regime.
Brig Arun Sehgal (retd) identified Iran's nuclear capabilities, its capacity for retaliation, the expanding use of drones and the involvement of non-state actors, including Hamas and the Houthis, as four critical dimensions of the conflict.
His assessment also covered the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, protective shelters and the potential consequences of escalation involving tactical nuclear weapons.
๐๐ฎ๐บ๐บ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ต๐บ๐ถ๐ฟ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฐ๐๐
Another panel brought together senior military and intelligence veterans to examine the evolving security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly developments since 2019 and the challenges of achieving sustainable peace and social integration.
Lt Gen J S Cheema (retd) discussed public sentiment, the debate over the restoration of statehood and Article 370, and the continuing security implications of the April 2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack.
He also examined Operation Sindoor, launched subsequently, and the questions surrounding the region's return to normalcy.
Former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief A S Dulat emphasised the importance of dialogue and political engagement in addressing the region's challenges.
His observations covered Article 370, the Kashmiri Pandit community and the deeper social and emotional dimensions of integration.
Dulat maintained that restoring lasting peace required more than security measures, stressing the importance of rebuilding trust and fostering a sense of belonging among communities.
Lt Gen Satish Dua (retd) traced Pakistan's proxy-war strategy through successive conflicts, discussing its alleged involvement in militancy in Punjab and subsequent developments in Jammu and Kashmir.
The deliberations highlighted the need to combine military preparedness, political engagement and social reconciliation while responding to evolving security challenges.