India Attends Munich Security Conference

Munich Security Conference

The 60th annual Munich Security Conference (MSC) was held from February 16-18, 2024 in Munich, Germany. This high-level gathering brought together heads of state, government officials, military leaders, foreign policy experts, business executives, and civil society representatives to discuss pressing security challenges facing the world.

The Indian delegation at MSC 2024 was led by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. India’s participation highlights its growing prominence in global affairs and commitment to promoting international peace and security through dialogue and cooperation.

India’s Bilateral Meetings at Munich Security Conference

On the sidelines of MSC 2024, Minister Jaishankar held discussions with several counterparts on key issues, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed progress in India-US strategic partnership, situation in West Asia and Ukraine, and other bilateral matters. Both leaders noted their complementary approaches to maritime security cooperation in the Red Sea region.

History and Evolution of the Munich Security Conference

The Munich Security Conference originated from the “Internationale Wehrkunde-Begegnung” first organized in 1963 by Ewald von Kleist to provide a forum for military officials from NATO member states to foster dialogue. Over subsequent decades, the conference significantly expanded in scope and participation:

• Renamed as Munich Conference on Security Policy in 1999.
• Attendance widened beyond transatlantic participants to include Asian, African, Latin American and Middle Eastern countries.
• Agenda grew beyond narrow military focus to include economic, societal and environmental dimensions of security.
• Renamed as Munich Security Conference in 2009 to reflect broader ambit.

Today, the MSC is an eminent annual forum for debate on international security policy.

Mission and Objectives of the Munich Security Conference

The MSC articulates its core mission as promoting peaceful conflict resolution and building trust within the international security community. Its main objectives include:

• Providing a platform for constructive dialogue between countries with divergent security policies and interests.
• Building confidence through candid exchange of perspectives on security issues.
• Advocating cooperative diplomatic approaches over confrontation in resolving disputes.
• Promoting a comprehensive understanding of security encompassing military, economic, societal and environmental facets.

Over 60 years, the MSC has established itself as an important forum shaping dialogues on international security. India’s prominent participation in MSC 2024 highlights its growing contribution to building a just, inclusive and rules-based global order.

India’s Positions on Global Security Challenges

India has maintained neutrality on major geopolitical conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war, guided by its policy of “strategic autonomy” which enables partnerships with all major powers. However, India’s non-alignment should not be misconstrued as endorsement of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

As 2023 G20 chair, India has a chance to play a diplomatic role in resolving the Ukraine crisis. However, lack of G20 consensus on Ukraine has been an impediment. While India advocates dialogue and diplomacy to end the conflict, lack of progress could compel India to reassess its neutral stance.

On emerging technologies like AI and autonomous weapons, India recognizes the need to prevent a “technology apartheid” between advanced and developing countries. Hence it continues indigenous development of such technologies for defensive needs while engaging in debates around their ethical use.

India’s Contributions to International Security

India has a long record of contribution to global peacekeeping efforts. It has provided around 195,000 personnel over 49 UN peacekeeping missions – one of the largest troop deployments. This demonstrates India’s commitment to facilitating peaceful conflict resolution.

India also actively participates in multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation platforms like the UN Conference on Disarmament, advocating universal, non-discriminatory and verifiable nuclear disarmament.

India’s Focus on Emerging Military Technologies

India believes emerging technologies like AI, robotics and autonomous systems are transforming modern warfare. Hence it is accelerating investments in developing indigenous solutions in these areas, emphasizing defensive applications.

However, India lags behind countries like China in foundational research for such technologies. It has advocated international cooperation frameworks to prevent this technology gap from destabilizing deterrence.

From an economic security lens, India aims to audit capabilities in critical emerging technologies and harness them through policies like the proposed Digital India Act to ensure they augment rather than undermine India’s growth and competitiveness.

Conclusion

India’s neutrality on Ukraine and stance on military technologies align with its strategic autonomy policy. However, India recognizes it must be more vocal in upholding international rules on territorial integrity and human rights.

India’s enthusiastic participation and substantive interventions at Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2024, on issues like the Ukraine crisis, reflected its commitment to shaping global policymaking on security issues. As India grows in prominence, its role in leading and expanding crucial dialogues through forums like MSC will only grow.