ISLAMABAD: The India Study Centre at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) on Thursday arranged a 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 over 28 young researchers and experts from different think tanks and Universities of Pakistan.
In his opening address, the Director India Study Centre Dr. Khurram Abbas welcomed the participants and introduced the theme, objectives and pattern of the gathering. The event was divided into two sessions.
In his speech, Director General ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood appreciated the young scholars for their enthusiastic participation in the workshop.
He said that the ISSI’s new vision prioritized youth engagement and that the Institute was now proactively drawing the next generation of experts into the process with fresh perspectives and new ideas.
He stressed the significance of developing a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the intricate issues at hand, making more insightful and informed evaluations, and suggesting more innovative approaches to addressing the longstanding problems and realizing the emerging opportunities.
Lectures in Workshop
The first session consisted of 3 lectures, viz. ‘India-Pakistan Bilateral Relations: Prospects and Challenges for Normalization’; ‘Emerging Technologies and Comprehensive National Security’, and ‘Understanding Indian Strategic Culture and Political Thought Process’.
In the second session, the young scholars were divided into 6 groups with each group tasked to debate different issues — ranging from foreign policy and security to trade and non-traditional threats in South Asia — and propose a way forward.
The ‘Mentors’ for the young scholars in the session included Chairman Kashmir Institue of International Relations Altaf Hussain Wani, former Ambassador of Pakistan to Iran Riffat Masood, Director Centre for Strategic Perspectives (ISSI), Dr. Shaheen Akhtar, and Dr. Neelum Nigar, Professors Department of IR, National Defence University (NDU).
The Mentors commended the efforts of young academics and researchers and stressed the importance of in-depth and rigorous thinking on issues of national security and foreign relations.
