ISLAMABAD (DNA): The India Study Centre at the Institute of Strategic
Studies Islamabad (ISSI) organized a one-day workshop, titled
“Next-Generation Strategic Cohort 2024” as part of the series of
events aimed at engaging young academics and scholars in the
policy discourse relating to foreign policy and strategic issues in
South Asia. The workshop was attended by more than 28 young
researchers and experts from various think-tanks and Universities
from different parts of Pakistan.
In his opening remarks, Director India Study Centre Dr. Khurram
Abbas welcomed the participants and introduced the theme,
objectives and pattern of the event. The workshop was divided into
two working sessions.
In his remarks on the occasion, Director General ISSI Ambassador
Sohail Mahmood lauded the young scholars for their enthusiastic
participation in the event. He highlighted that the ISSI’s new vision
prioritised youth engagement and that the Institute was now
proactively drawing the next generation experts into the process
with new ideas and fresh perspectives. He stressed the importance of
developing a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the
intricate issues at hand, making more informed and insightful
evaluations, and suggesting more innovative approaches to
addressing the longstanding challenges and realizing the emerging
opportunities.
The first session consisted of three lectures, viz. ‘India-Pakistan
Bilateral relations: Prospects and Challenges for Normalization’;
‘Understanding Indian Strategic Culture and Political Thought
Process’; and ‘Emerging Technologies and Comprehensive National
Security’.
In the second session, the young scholars were divided into six
groups with each group tasked to debate various issues — ranging
from security and foreign policy to trade and non-traditional threats
in South Asia — and propose a way forward. The ‘Mentors’ for the
young scholars in this session included Altaf Hussain Wani,
Chairman Kashmir Institue of International Relations; Ambassador
Riffat Masood, former Ambassador of Pakistan to Iran; Dr. Neelum
Nigar, Director Centre for Strategic Perspectives (ISSI); and Dr.
Shaheen Akhtar, Professor Department of IR, National Defence
University (NDU). The Mentors lauded the efforts of young
academics and researchers and emphasized the importance of in-
depth and rigorous thinking on issues of national security and
foreign relations.
