By M S Nazki
The Professor Dr Nanda Kishor of Pondicherry University delivered a thought-provoking lecture at DSSCWellington, delving into enduring InternationalRelations theories – from Realism to Liberalism to Constructivism.
-With scholarly depth and clarity, the Prof connected classical theories to the practical realities of modern #Geopolitics, offering critical perspectives on evolving global power dynamics and the challenges of an emerging multipolar world.
-He opened up with the following words: This evening, I will have the honour and privilege of delivering a lecture on International Relations at the esteemed Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, a premier institution that shapes the minds of India’s finest military officers and those from friendly foreign nations.
-The opportunity to speak at this historic tri-services institution is both humbling and exciting. I look forward to engaging with officers from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force on the pressing issues that define our contemporary world from great power rivalries and the evolving Indo-Pacific landscape to the recalibration of global institutions and India’s growing strategic footprint.
-In an era marked by uncertainty, technological disruption, and geopolitical churn, it is more important than ever for our military leadership to be equipped not just with operational expertise, but with a deep understanding of global affairs and statecraft. I hope my lecture will contribute meaningfully to that ongoing intellectual preparation.
– And ended up by saying: My sincere thanks to the Commandant, faculty, and the brilliant officers of the Staff Course for this opportunity. I look forward to a vibrant exchange of ideas and perspectives this evening
-Previously in March COAS Gen Upendra Dwivedi had talked about the need of jointness & integration among Armed Forces amid evolving nature of warfare!
-He highlighted the evolving nature of warfare, the strategic challenges facing India and the need for jointness and synergy among the armed forces. He was addressing the student officers from the Indian Armed Forces undergoing the 80th Staff Course and the permanent staff at Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.
-COAS commended DSSC for its pivotal role in grooming future military leaders and emphasised the importance of professional military education in enhancing operational preparedness and decision making capabilities.
-The COAS underscored the significance of leadership, adaptability and technological integration in modern warfare. He urged officers to remain proactive in their approach to emerging security threats and to embrace innovation in military planning and operations.
-During his visit, COAS also interacted with faculty members, discussing key aspects of military strategy, operational art and leadership development. He acknowledged the institution’s contributions in fostering inter service cooperation and strengthening India’s defence preparedness.
-Gen Dwivedi was briefed by Commandant DSSC Lt Gen Virendra Vats, on the adaptation of the Staff Course curriculum to align to the challenges of Future Wars, with special reference to the activities of the first Deep Purple Division, wherein 40 tri-services officers have undergone their training.
-The COAS also interacted with the Veterans of Wellington Military station and recognised their contributions with the ‘veteran Achievers Award’.
-Military Leadership Challenges: Navigating Complexities of 21st Century
Military leadership in the 21st century presents a multitude of intricate and multifarious challenges that necessitate character, flexibility, creativity, intellectual superiority, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. The ever-evolving global and regional landscape, in conjunction with shifting societal norms and technological advancements, compels military commanders to chart unexplored territory while upholding the values of professionalism, ethics, and national security.
Higher military leadership assumes a pivotal role in guiding the course and efficacy of modern armed forces. Although fundamental leadership tenets retain their importance, the intricacies of today’s security milieu mandate that these leaders possess a wide-ranging skill set and a profound comprehension of multifaceted challenges
-Global and Regional Environment:
The Shifting Sands of Global Alliances: The once-stable alliances and partnerships are undergoing seismic shifts, driven by evolving national interests, emerging power centres, and the resurgence of hypernationalism. This necessitates a constant reassessment of strategic partnerships and the development of flexible strategies to safeguard national interests.
Navigating Complex International Relations: In this era of interconnectedness, balancing complex international relations while ensuring strategic autonomy is in the interest of national security. Self-reliance and generating indigenous capabilities with a resilient military-industrial base will be the key. They must safeguard their nation’s interests while avoiding entanglements in divisive conflicts. The ability to read and interpret the geopolitical landscape accurately is crucial to making informed decisions.
-Domestic Environment:
The Thin Line Between Military and Civilian Roles: Military leadership faces the unique challenge of being drawn into the realm of domestic security and stability. Communal tensions, economic discontent, and population pressures can spill over into the military’s domain, blurring the line between its traditional role and civilian governance. This evolving dynamic necessitates careful management to prevent undue military interference in civil affairs.
Psychological Challenges for Soldiers: Soldiers operating in this blurred environment may face psychological challenges. They must juggle their duties as military professionals with their roles as citizens. The mental toll of managing domestic security while upholding ethical standards can be taxing, making psychological resilience and supporting critical components of modern military leadership.
-Influence of Society:
Changing Societal Values: Society’s values are in a constant state of flux, driven by education, communication, and evolving cultural norms. Military leaders can no longer rely solely on traditional motivations like class or racial pride to inspire their troops. Adaptability in leadership styles is necessary to connect with a more diverse and informed group of soldiers who question outdated norms and practices.
Leadership in a Diverse World: Embracing diversity is not only a societal value but also an imperative for military leadership. Leaders must learn to harness the strength of a diverse force, ensuring that all soldiers feel valued and heard. Inclusivity is not just a moral principle but also a strategic advantage in a world characterized by diversity.
Economic Influence:
Changing Economic Landscape: Traditionally, the military has offered economic opportunities, attracting talent and character to its ranks. However, the changing economic landscape, with the emergence of new industries and job markets, poses a challenge. The military must adapt to compete with other career options and retain its ability to attract top talent.
Impact on Military Leadership Quality: As economic opportunities diversify; military leadership may face talent diversion to other fields. This can have a direct impact on the quality and character of future military leaders. The military must invest in competitive compensation packages, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work environment to retain top-tier talent.
Environmental Changes Affecting Soldiers:
Societal and Political Changes: Soldiers’ personal lives, social standing, and political awareness are significantly influenced by broader societal and political changes. These external factors can have repercussions on their psychological well-being and morale, directly affecting their readiness and effectiveness as military professionals.
The Peace Time Environment: The peacetime military faces its own set of challenges, which can impact preparedness for conflict. These challenges include overambitious leadership, frequent disruptions in training and operations, growing awareness of rights and privileges among soldiers, lack of necessities, and unrealistic training scenarios that do not adequately prepare troops for thely complexities of modern warfare.
Future Battlespace:
The rapid transformation in society, culture and global power play requires understanding the larger dimension of war. The conduct of warfare has witnessed a paradigm shift in the goals of war, the rules of war, the players, and the tools of war, reshaping its character and domains. It’s an era of multidomain warfare which requires cross-domain competence both in kinetic and non-kinetic domains. Culture, history, geography, technology, society, geostrategic dynamics, doctrine, economics, trade, and nationalism all combine to shape the modern battlespace. Digit, digitisation, digitalisation, and disruption are revolutionising the technological battlespace. The social media battle space and information warfare have also created challenges of shaping not only the enemy but also the domestic and international audience perceptions of a favourable narrative. Thus, national security calculus and understanding of war demands a relook through a more holistic prism by the nation and its military. Prevailing in the future battlespace will require not only sound military training but also a deep and wider understanding of war by future military leaders
Military leaders must not only adapt to these changes but also exploit emerging technologies to gain a strategic advantage. This requires a shift towards directive command styles, transparency, and a relentless focus on leveraging technology for military effectiveness.
Future military leaders must be empowered in three critical areas – knowledge, technical and tactical skills and the wisdom and judgment to be applied in diverse time-sensitive complex situations under disruptive conditions and uncertainty. Legacy organisations, practices and doctrines are increasingly at odds with emerging realities. Professional Military Education (PME) must be rooted in the ‘intellectual, moral, and social instruction of a professional community suggesting that education should be bound within policy and doctrinal assumptions. Thus, the challenge for PME is to reshape its structures, reorient its focus and rebalance its contents to make it relevant and responsive to empowering military leaders to prevail in future multi-domain battlespace.
Demands on Junior and Middle-Level Leadership:
Well-Rounded Leaders: The demands on junior and middle-level leaders have never been greater. They must be well-rounded, with a clear understanding of war perspectives, the ability to leverage technology effectively, and the capacity to handle stress, ambiguity, and social infirmities within the military. Developing these leaders is essential for the overall effectiveness of the armed forces.
Building Resilience: Leaders must also focus on building resilience among junior and middle-level officers. This includes equipping them with the tools to handle stress, make sound decisions under pressure, and adapt to the changing dynamics of modern military operations.
