Dr Doval, 69, former Director of Intelligence Bureau and now the new National Security Adviser in Narendra Modi's government since May 30, this year is considered as the foremost influential figure in Indian Defence establishment. He was formerly the Director of the Intelligence Bureau in 2004-05, after spending a decade as the head of its operations wing. He is the first police officer in India to be awarded the Kirti Chakra.
Dr Doval is participating in the “Galle Dialogue 2014” on the invitation of the Secretary of Defence and Urban Development Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
“Galle Dialogue 2014”, a brainchild of the Secretary of Defence and Urban Development, Gotabaya Rajapaksa and organized by the Sri Lanka Navy under the aegis of the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, gets underway in the port city of Galle on 01st December 2014 for the fifth consecutive year. Local and foreign scholars and experts in maritime and naval affairs representing 39 countries are expected to share their views at this two-day dialogue held under the theme, “Cooperation & Collaboration for Maritime Prosperity”, at the Lighthouse Hotel on 01st and 02nd December.
The inaugural “Galle Dialogue” held in 2010 set the initiative in motion under the theme “Charting the Course for Sustainable Maritime Security Cooperation”. The follow on, “Galle Dialogue 2011” continued the discussion under the theme, “Challenges and Strategic Cooperation for Indian Ocean Maritime Concerns”. Its third edition, "Galle Dialogue 2012" steered towards maritime security and prosperity under the theme “Strategic Maritime Cooperation and Partnership to face the Future with Confidence”. The Galle Dialogue 2013 held last year examined the "Emerging Maritime Trends in the Indian Ocean”.
Setting sail with 11 countries onboard at its inception in 2010, the Galle Dialogue initiative has augmented its complement with incresed participation along its course over the successive years. Today it has risen up to 39 counntries having welcomed 20 in 2011, 17 in 2012 and 35 in 2013.
This year’s Galle Dialogue explores the ways and means to synergize the efforts of cooperation and collaboration to achieve maritime prosperity. Maritime Prosperity is not evaluated only by the naval prowess or technological superiority; it is defined by a combination of aspects such as policies, legislation, law enforcement capacities, policing capabilities, investments, shipping etc. Whilst each nation may use different yardsticks to grade their maritime prosperity, it is the level of confidence placed by other nations that determines one’s standing in the area of maritime prosperity. It is these yardstick measurements that need to be evaluated within the overall context of maritime security and peace. The Dialogue envisages the exchange of different perspective on how nations perceive their standing and position in fulfilling security, scientific, academic and technical aspirations in a domain that unites nations for common interests.
Although Governments are at the forefront of maritime administration, it is mostly the private users that exploit the economic benefits on their behalf. Hence, today’s maritime domain encompasses public-private concerns at equal settings too. In this context, the voice of the industry stakeholders as well as academics and independent analysts also to be taken onboard.
Accordingly, it is hoped that these important deliberations would provide an opportunity for participating nations to gain a better understanding of interconnected issues and assist in making the seas safer for all.. (Special Reporter/HC)
