Discussion – “India’s Perspective on Modern Challenges: Protecting the Nation-State and Fighting Terrorism.”

On July 18, GSSC organized an event titled: “India’s Perspective on Modern Challenges: Protecting the Nation-State and Fighting Terrorism.” The event featured former Indian Minister of External Affairs M. J. Akbar, and the discussion was moderated by the Center’s Chief Project Manager, Dr. Simona Merkinaitė. During the event, Mr. Akbar highlighted parallels between Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and India’s conflict with Pakistan. A major topic of discussion was the long-term consequences of 20th-century events—including both World Wars and decolonization. The speaker emphasized the importance of independence, civil and religious freedoms, gender equality, and poverty reduction as fundamental principles of state legitimacy, stating that countries that base their existence on national exceptionalism and endless conflict are doomed to fail.