sls, noida symposium on “the changing faces of … · sls, noida symposium on “the changing...

SLS, NOIDA Symposium on “The Changing Faces of Terrorism and the Issues of National Security”

Supported by Public Diplomacy Division, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India



International Symposium Report

______________________________________________________________________

"The Changing Faces of Terrorism and the Issues of National Security"

Organized BY

Symbiosis Law School, Noida

Supported by

Public Diplomacy Division, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India

DATE: Saturday, April 28, 2012

VENUE: Symbiosis Law School, Noida



Table of Contents

1) Introduction

2) The Program

3) Participation

Session-1

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: H.E. Mrs. Suryakanti Tripathi, Former Ambassador to Spain

SPEAKER 1: Honourable Timothy G. Haley, Counselor, Regional Security Office, U.S.A Embassy. SPEAKER 2: Honourable Alfred Ndabrasa, 1st counsellor High Commission, Republic of Rwanda

TEA BREAK

SESSION-2

SPEAKER 1: Honourable Mr. Kalyan Raman, Scholar, Institute for Defence and Strategic Analyses

SPEAKER 2: Honourable Mr. Joginder Singh, IPS and Former Director CBI Key Observations: h.e. Mr. Dembo Badjie, High Commissioner of the Republic of Gambia Key Observations: H.E. Ousman Tandia, Ambassador of the Republic of Mali

4. Concluding Remarks 5. Vote of Thanks



Introduction Terrorism, a global phenomenon has become a

challenge and threat to national and international

security. It is commonly understood as political

violence resulting in an asymmetrical conflict,

designed to induce terror and psychic fear through

the violent victimization and destruction of

noncombatant targets. A modern trend in terrorism

is towards loosely organized self-financed

international network of terrorists. Terrorism and

national security reform can be powerful vehicles

for policy change overturning the conventional

wisdom that views them only as devices for passing

the blame. It is frequently reiterated that national

security is strategic and long term in nature

embracing both foreign as well as domestic

policies. This in turn requires efforts to understand

and maximize international cooperation and support

without unduly compromising national security

interests.

The Program

Symbiosis Law School, Noida, an eminent

premier law school of the country, is an off

campus center of Symbiosis International

University, Pune. Research is an integral part

of studies at SLS, NOIDA including

interdisciplinary research involving

collaboration between academic fraternity,

students, and industry.



Guided by the mission to create and innovative knowledge, expand limits of human

understanding, and produce a wide range of benefits throughout society with the aid of

fundamental research, Symbiosis Law School Noida

organized their First Symposium on “The Changing

Faces of Terrorism and the Issues of National

Security” on April 28, 2012. The Symposium held

technical sessions on numerous issues related to

Terrorism and National Security in the present

scenario.

The Symposium aimed not only at bringing in the views of experts and researchers but also

at disseminating them so as to achieve the motto of societal enhancement and well- being.

Various experts specializing in their areas would set benchmarks to fill the gap. The

Symposium facilitated sharing of experiences amongst the Academicians, Advocates,

Researchers and learners.

Eminent personalities at the Seminar

included H.E. Mrs. Suryakanthi Tripathi, Former

Ambassador to Spain; Honorable Mr. Timothy G.

Haley, Counselor, Regional Security Office

U.S.A. Embassy, New Delhi; Honorable Mr.

Kalyan Raman, Scholar, Institute for Defense

and Strategic Analyses (IDSA); Honourable Mr.

Joginder Singh (IPS),

Former Director, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI); Honourable Mr. Alfred Ndabrasa,1st

Counselor, High Commission of Rwanda, Other Guests of Honour included Honorable Mr.

David Mees, Cultural Affairrs Officer US Embassy; Honorable Mr. Gurmohinder Singh, ATA

Coordinator, US Embassy; H.E. Mr. Dembo Badjie, High Commissioner, Republic of

Gambia and H.E. Mr.Ousman Tandia, Ambassador, Republic of Mali.



Participation

Although a short half day event, the symposium witnessed wide participation from leading law

schools in the country. The participants included students and members of faculty from various

Law Colleges in the National Capital Region of Delhi.



Inaugural Session

The program began with honoring the distinguished guests with presentation of mementoes and

fresh flowers. Thereafter, Dr. C. J Rawandale, Director, Symbiosis Law School, NOIDA delivered

a welcome address. Prof. Shailja Saxena, Assistant Professor, SLS, NOIDA invited the Director to

the dais to do the honors.

The Director, Dr. C.J. Rawandale then addressed the gathering, expressing heartfelt gratitude to

his guests from the various Embassies for

taking their precious time to grace the

occasion. In his welcome address Dr.

Rawandale emphasized the need to

address terrorism related issues. He said

that the legal professionals and

academicians above all must take the

responsibility of creating terrorism related

awareness amongst the masses.



KEYNOTE SPEAKER: H.E. Mrs. Suryakanti Tripathi, Former Ambassador to Spain

The keynote speaker for the Symposium was H.E Mrs. Suryakanti Tripathi. Mrs Tripathi spoke

about the factors responsible for the

origin of various terror outfits. In her

discourse she spoke about the

various facets of terrorism. Terror

does not have any particular religion

or a reason, she emphasized on the

fact that terrorism is no longer

confined to any particular place, there

could be any town or city in any

country that could come under the

threat of terrorism. With terrorists

getting access to more and more weaponry and tactics they pose a greater threat. Access to

the internet gives them access to many new techniques and tactics which puts a greater

burden on anti-terrorist forces. She also spoke of the developments that are taking place in the

foreign policy, how various governments of different countries are fighting this war against

terrorism together and are trying their best to reduce trust deficit and build confidence among

themselves.

Session

1



SPEAKER 1: Honourable Mr. Timothy G. Haley, Counsellor, Regional Security Office, U.S.A. Embassy

Mr. Hailey shared the experience of the United States of America. He discussed how terror

outfits are expanding and all have a common object without even being connected. Each of

them pose as much threat as the

other if not more. He spoke about the

obstacles faced by the counter

terrorist troops in tracking down

terrorists because either they are

located in a remote place or they are

so well mingled with the ordinary

people that it becomes almost

impossible to identify them. But the

US has done a great deal to combat terrorism and is doing its best to share the same with

other countries, especially India. It establishes embassies and conducts regular training for

police and other counter terrorist groups. The US is trying its best not only to secure America

but to secure the world from the dangers of terrorism despite the high degree of financial

resources involved.

SPEAKER 2: Honorable Mr. Alfred Ndabrasa, FIRST counsellor High Commission of the Republic of Rwanda

Honourable Mr. Ndabrasa discussed the various

causes of terrorism and their existence in different

forms, a few could have the object of national

liberation whereas the others could have the object of

religion, he also spoke about a rather stunning type of

terrorism namely state sponsored terrorism, which is

used as a tool of foreign policy.



He stressed on the intention of these groups to have a political motive but it is eventually the

masses that are affected due to these activities. The terrorists have expanded their own circle

and have left no place unperturbed, they pose a great threat to the national security as well as

damage infrastructure. Most disastrous of all, they cause loss of human lives. As a result of

this the normal public is under the constant surveillance of the law enforcement agencies.

Terrorists have an anti-development ideology, they focus on the well to do countries and also

those heading on the path of development

The first session ended with Mr. Ndabrasa’s

address and the end of the session was followed

by a question and answer session that addressed

queries cropping in young minds.



SPEAKER 1: HONOURABLE Mr. Kalyan Raman, Scholar, Institute for Defense and Strategic Analyses (IDSA)

The first speaker for the second session,

Honorable Mr. Kalyan Raman, gave a very

unique definition of terrorism. He defined

terrorism as “An Asymmetric War”, meaning

where one opponent is very strong and the

other is rather weak. On the one hand you

have an army that contains hundreds of

thousands of soldiers and have equipment

such as tanks, artillery, guns, ships missiles,

nuclear weapons etc. In contrast, an insurgent or a terrorist group has only a few tens of fighters,

and the weapons that these groups have is limited to automatic rifles and grenades etc. The

insurgents and terrorists are weak, they do not face the regular army in an open war instead,

they base themselves in inaccessible jungles and hills and hide themselves. Their strategy is to

execute surprise attacks off and on over a period of several months and years. The term

asymmetric war is thus an umbrella term that includes conflicts involving regular armed forces

against either a group of insurgents or a group of terrorists. For western countries it is a war of

choice, they can choose to fight such wars if and when their interests are sufficiently affected

and if and when their overall capabilities permit them to do so. But it is not a choice for countries

like India, for them dealing with domestic insurgencies is part of the nation building effort. He

also pointed out the difference between the terms insurgency and terrorism. The difference

being, insurgents, by and large target the security forces and they try to work on a popular

support and eventually overthrow the government. On the other hand terrorists attack not only

security forces but innocent people as well.

Session 2



He concluded saying that the insurgent and terror groups do not engage in mindless violence,

their violence is aimed at attaining political or politico-religious goals. Countering such ideologies

is thus an integral part of counter insurgency.

SPEAKER 2: Honourable Mr. Joginder Singh, IPS and Former Director, Central

Bureau of Investigation

Our concluding speaker was Honourable Mr. Joginder Singh, former Director of the Central

Bureau of Investigation. Mr. Singh, with an enormous amount of experience of dealing with

various situations combating terror and

insurgency groups, delivered an excellent

speech. He spoke about how people themselves

have to be aware and the war against terrorism

is not just of the security forces but it is the duty

of each and every person. He spoke about the

sad state of affairs prevailing in our country.

There is inefficiency in the system itself and the

underlying causal factor is bad governance. Ministers and other corrupt officials affect not only

the country but even the security forces and having outdated rifles is one such sad story. Mr.

Singh shared a few experiences from his vast experience in the Indian Police Services.



H.E. Mr. Dembo Badjie, High Commissioner of the Republic of Gambia and H.E. Mr.

Ousman Tandia, Ambassador of the Republic of Mali noted the key observations of the

symposium proceedings.

H.E. Mr. Dembo Badjie began with thanking the Symposium speakers for enhancing the

understanding of the audience with regard to the contemporary nature of terrorism in the

world. He said that Terrorism is a global phenomenon and the definition of the term

terrorism is not unanimously accepted and each nation state tends to define it based on

their ‘taste and perception’. He personally felt that terrorism has two categories National

and International. Both however pose a threat to peace and security. National

governments he feels need to work in an efficient and integrated manner in order to

combat terrorism.

H.E. Mr. Ousman Tandia interestingly narrated how, democracy when mistaken to mean

free will for each and every person results in complete anarchy. The need of the hour he

said is to forget disparity and work together as a single family. He said that millions of

dollars are being spent on combating terrorist activities, it would be great if effort could

be made to channel some funds towards developing an understanding of the psyche

behind those committing such grave crimes.

Concluding Remarks

Dr. Pooja Kapoor (Symposium Coordinator) concluded

the session by giving a detailed account of the

Symposium. She noted that terrorism to day is

multifaceted in scope, even across the continents non-

state actors. Countering this multi-headed phenomenon

necessitates multi-pronged and unrelenting policy by the

governments across the globe. The panel adopted a

general approach to the phenomenon, moving beyond – but including and focusing on-



the vivid but historically specific image of stateless, religiously based terrorism that

animates the Al Qaeda and similar operations. For years terrorists have carried out

attacks against non-combatant targets causing massive destruction by means of

rancorous assaults. While the intentions and modus operandi have changed, there is no

reason to believe that terrorism will completely cease to exist in the near future. When

local or international powers possess an overwhelming power compared to oppositional

groups, and the latter see no other realistic methods to forward their cause by normal

political or military means, “asymmetrical warfare” can represent a tempting option. So

far India has been categorized as a soft state. We have been unsuccessful to protect our

national interests on several junctures. The delay of carrying out the capital punishment

awarded to Ajmal Kasab and Afzal Guru raises the question on the integrity of our

political leadership. Terrorism cannot be stopped by means of a soft approach. Instead,

the government needs strong determination and courage to combat terrorism for the

safety and security of the nation. The need of the hour is to have a strong state

apparatus and they should not act as shopkeepers.

Vote of Thanks

Prof. Deepa Panwar (Symposium Coordinator) extended a Vote of thanks

on behalf of the Symbiosis family to our speakers, guests and delegates.

She noted the support of Mr. Navdeep Suri, Joint Secretary, Ministry of

External Affairs(MEA); Ms. L. Savithri, Deputy Secretary Public

Diplomacy, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA); Dr. Sanjay K. Dewan,

Honorary Consul General, Republic of Cape Verde and The Public

Diplomacy Division, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India in

organising the event.

The Symposium was widely appreciated by the speakers as well as the audience.



THE Organizers

Research & Publication Cell:

Faculty members

Dr. Pushpa Negi

Prof. Deepa A Panwar

Prof. Ankur Jain

Student Members

Saurabh Arora

Nikhil Anand

Arnav Dash

Pravir Singh Srivastava

Palak Srivastava

Saman Naseem

Sumit Lalchandani

Technical Team :

Nilesh Aeer ( Network Administrator) Harjinder Kaur (Senior Instructor)

sls, noida symposium on “the changing faces of … · sls, noida symposium on “the changing...

Documents