Inside the Academy for International Relations at Shankar IAS | UPSC | International Relations

Heat. Distinguished members of diplomatic ops, esteemed dignitaries, respected faculty members and dear future diplomats and civil servants, a very warm and gracious good evening to you all. In an interconnected 21st century, diplomacy is no longer merely an instrument of state craft. It is a vital bridge connecting national aspirations with global destiny. Today marks a historic milestone as Shankaraya's academy broadens its horizon to launch a dedicated platform for strategic thought and global diplomacy. The Academy for International Relations to immerse ourselves in the vision scope and transformative mission of new institution. Let us direct our attention to the screens for the inaugural audiovisisual presentation. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [music] >> I keep saying that there are no black and white of answers in diplomacy [music] and in geopolitics. things evolve. [music] >> In today's interconnected world, borders may define nations, but relationships define their future. The 21st century has transformed the nature of global politics. Nations no longer compete through military strength [music] alone. They compete through ideas, innovation, diplomacy, partnerships, and global [music] influence. International relations today extends far beyond traditional diplomacy. It encompasses trade, technology, [music] climate action, public health, education, cyber security, and sustainable development. It is the discipline that connects national aspirations with global opportunities. At its heart lies the [music] art of diplomacy, the ability to engage, negotiate, build trust, and transform differences [music] into cooperation. From the United Nations and G20 to regional and multilateral institutions, countries work together to address challenges that transcend borders. peace and security, economic development, climate change, humanitarian crisis and global health. For India, international engagement is central to its vision of [music] becoming a leading global power, strengthening strategic partnerships, championing the global south, and contributing to a more inclusive, sustainable, and peaceful world. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, [music] the need for informed scholars, visionary diplomats, strategic thinkers, and [music] responsible global citizens has never been greater. Today marks the beginning of a new chapter. The inauguration of the Academy for International Relations is more [music] than the launch of an academic department. It is the creation of a platform that will nurture future diplomats, policy analysts, researchers, negotiators [music] and leaders who will shape India's engagement with the world, diplomacy, strategy, leadership, global cooperation. Welcome to the future of global politics with academy for international relations. The presentation truly captures the grand ambition and strategic road map that define the academy for international relations. To sanctify the inspiring beginning and seek divine blessing for the journey ahead, may I request everyone to kindly rise for the prayer song by God. [snorts] Christmas. [music] >> [music] >> in the middle. Thank you. Please remain standing as we transition to a traditional commencement. Light symbolizes knowledge, dispelling ignorance and illuminating the path of wisdom and public service. We respectfully invite our distinguished chief guest and our special guests to grace the dis and lead the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. Okay. Thank you. Respected dearies, please take your seats. Building upon the enduring foundation laid in 2004, Shankarayas Academy continues to pioneer forward thinking initiatives to empower India's finest minds. to formally welcome our august gathering and share the vision behind establishing the academy for international relations. It is our distinct honor to invite our respected chairperson Dr. Vashna to the podium. Good evening everyone. The world doesn't wait for a nation to be ready. History doesn't pass while nations find their direction. And in today's interconnected world, no country can afford to remain a spectator. Respected dignitaries, distinguished guests, esteemed faculty members, dear colleagues and our young aspirants, a very warm and gracious welcome to all of you. Today it is a significant day in the journey of Shankraas Academy. We are not nearly inaugurating a department. The Academy for International Relations is opening a new window through which our students will understand India, the world and India's place in an increasingly complex global order. International relations is no longer a subject confined to diplomatic corridors or foreign ministries. Today, what happens in one part of the world can have immediate consequences for the lives of millions elsewhere. A conflict can influence the price of fuel. A disruption in global supply chains can affect Indian industries. A decision taken in a distant capital can influence our economy, our security, our technology, our food and energy security. For an aspirant aspiring civil services, understanding the world is not an optional it is essential. The UPSA civil services examination expects an aspirant to look beyond events and understand the forces shaping them. It demands not merely knowledge of what is happening but an ability to ask why is it happening, how it affects India and what India's response should be. That is precisely the intellectual space that this new academy seeks to cultivate. At Shankai Academy, we believe that preparation for the civil services examination is not simply about clearing an examination. It is about developing the knowledge, judgment, balance and sense of responsibility expected from those who may one day serve the nation. And nowhere are these qualities more important than in the field of international relations. India today stands at a consequential moment in the global journey. We are engaging simultaneously with major powers, emerging economies, our immediate neighbors, the global south and multilateral institutions. We are seeking strategic autonomy while deepening strategic partnerships. We are advancing our economic interests while defending our security concerns. We are increasingly being called upon to contribute to the resolution of global challenges. The civil servants of tomorrow will be required to understand this challenging landscape with clarity and confidence. Our students must therefore learn to see the world not merely through the headlines of the newspapers but through the deeper lenses of geopolitics, economics, history, security, technology, diplomacy and national interest. The new academy for international relations is envisioned to become such a center of learning. It will seek to bridge the gap between current affairs and the conceptual understanding between theory and application and between global developments and India's national interest. I'm confident that our faculty will encourage our aspirants to question analyze debate and most importantly think independently. Dear aspirants as you embark on this journey I would urge you to remember one principle. Do not study international relations merely as an answer to the UPSC question. Study it to understand the world in which India must make its choices. When you read about a war, look beyond the battlefield. When you study a summit, look beyond the photographs and declarations. When you analyze a treaty, examine the interest behind it. When you study a country, understand its history, geography, economy, and strategic culture. With these thoughts, I extend my heartfelt welcome to all our distinguished guests, faculty members, and aspirants. I leave you with a simple thought. The world is changing rapidly. India's role in that world is even changing faster. Your responsibility is to understand both and prepare yourself to serve India with wisdom, confidence and purpose. With great pleasure and pride, I welcome you all to this important occasion and would like to announce the inauguration of the academy for international relations at Shankra Academy Chennai. Welcoming you all. Thank you. Thank you ma'am for presenting an inspiring road map for this academy and articulating the imperative of cultivating global strategy accumment among the civil service aspirants. >> We now arrive at the defining moment of the evening the formal dedication of academy for international relations to the nation. >> We have the privilege of inviting our distinguished chief guest his excellency ambassador Mr. Dr. TB Shirias, our special guests representing the diplomatic missions, chairperson Dr. Vaynavi and managing partner Mr. Dinad Alan to join at the ceremonial podium for the official unveiling and inauguration of the Academy of International Relations. >> Ladies and gentlemen, let us commemorate this momentous beginning with a resounding round of applause. [applause] May I now request our chairperson Dr. Vaynabi and managing partner Mr. Dina to fitate our distinguished chief guest and special guests on the das with institutional momentos as a token of our profound esteem. Heat. Heat. N. [applause] >> [applause] [applause] >> On this momentous occasion, several eminent international dignitaries who could not be with us in person today have conveyed their warmest blessings and congratulatory wishes for the launch of the academy for international relations. >> We take immense pride in acknowledging the special congratulatory messages extended by honorable his excellency Mr. Mkeshwar Chun gok former minister and ambassador government of Mauritius and his excellency Mr. Jaganat Sam Swami, High Commissioner of the Republic of Fiji to India. To bring out these congratulatory messages before our gathering, I invite Miss Tashwini Langanadan to the podium. >> Good evening everyone. It is my great pleasure and privilege to welcome you all at this very special occasion. It is my privilege to extend a very warm welcome to our distinguished chief guest, Ambassador Mr. PP Shinasan, former ambassador and permanent representative to the in to of India to the United Nations and the governor for India of the international atomic energy agency Vienna. I would also like to extend warm welcome to our distinguished special guests Dr. Ganeshan Giteshwaran Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka for Southern Dr. Ranganadan J Hondur Council of the Republic of the Myanmar in Chennai. I would also like to acknowledge the vision and leadership of Dr. SD Vashnavi, chairperson of Shankar Aayas Academy whose commitment to education and the creating meaningful platforms for young minds is truly commendable. The [snorts] inauguration of this academy is a proud reflection of that vision. Creating a space where students can engage with diplomacy, international affairs and the changing world around us. I would also like to place our sincere gratitude to the distinguished personalities who have conveyed their congratulatory messages on the inaug in inauguration of this academy. Their messages come from individuals who carried themselves reflect that many dimensions of diplomacy from political leadership and ambassadorial service to multilateral engagement and international representment. I also welcome Mr. Sarna Kumar Kumar Sagum, Council General of Malaysia for South India. I have the privilege of sharing these messages with you today. Our first message comes from honorable MKkeshwuni, former minister and ambassador of the government of Maicius. I extend my I extend my warmest and most sincere best wishes to the academy of international relations. Your institution's commitment to advancing the study of global affairs, diplomacy, and cross-cultural understanding is truly commendable. The academy continues to play a vital role in nurturing future leaders who will contribute meaningfully to international peace, cooperation and dialogue. I would also like to express my special appreciation to professor Janganadan the adviser. Your visionary guidance, academic leadership and dedication have been instrumental in shaping the academyy's reputation for excellence. Your mentorship continues to inspire both faculty and students to strive for the highest standards. May the academy achieve many more milestones in the years and remain a beacon of knowledge and global engagement. Thank you. Our next am next message comes from Ambassador Thirmorti, retired IFS, permanent representative of India to the United Nations. I convey my heartiest ficitations on the occasion of the inauguration of the academy for international relations at Shankeras Academy. This is a timely initiative and will contribute to greater understanding of international relations, diplomacy and strategic affairs and global governance especially among youth in this part of India. In a world in flux, understanding of geopolitics has become important for success in other fields of activity, whether business or technology. I congratulate the leadership of Shankar IAS Academy on launching this excellent initiative and convey my best wishes for the success of the inaugural function. Thank you ambassador. We now move on to the message from his excellency Mr. Jaganat Swami, High Commissioner of Fiji to India. and gives me immense pleasure to extend my congratulations on the opening of the Shanker Academyy's Center for International Relations. This is a great platform that will provide young scholars and aspiring professionals with opportunities to engage with international affairs. This initiative signifies a strong commitment to advancing dialogue and knowledge on global affairs. I'm certain that the center will contribute to developing a deeper understanding of diplomacy and international cooperation in young minds. It will serve as a valuable platform for policy discussions, academic engagement and informed engagement with international affairs. This initiative is of greater significance in an increasingly interconnected and rapidly changing world. I wish the center success in all endeavors. I look forward to seeing it grow into a meaningful platform for dialogues, scholarship and collaboration. My best wishes to Miss Vishnabi and Professor Ranganadan for the vision and leadership in establishing this center. Thank you, excellency. And finally, we have a congratulatory message from Mr. Kartik Talum, Ponder Council General of Cambodia in Bengaluru. I'm delighted to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Shanker Ay Academy on the inauguration of the Academy for International Relations. This visionary initiative will serve as an important platform for advancing knowledge of diplomacy, international relations and global affairs while preparing future leaders to engage with an increasingly interconnected world. I commend the academy for this significant endeavor and wish the inaugural fun every success. May the academy grow into a center of excellence promoting meaningful dialogue, research, and international understanding. My best wishes for its continued success. Thank you to all of our distinguished guests and to everyone who has conveyed their warm wishes to the academy. Thank you Mr. Dejaspuri for presenting those encouraging words of support and uh international goodwill. We also acknowledge the message of uh his excellency uh Mr. Kartik Talam honorary consil general of Cambodia in Bangaluru. Now we invite our director Dr. Vishnary ma'am to fate his excellency Mr. Saran Kumar Kumarasum, Consulate General of Malaysia for South India. [applause] highlighting our historic civilizational bonds across the Bay of Bengal. I invite Mr. Goindra Raju, Faculty of Political Science and International Relations to introduce our first diplomatic guest, respected dignitaries, esteemed faculty members and it's my great privilege to introduce his excellency professor Ranganad, honorary council of Republic of Union of Mymar. to in Chennai and consultant for international relations at Naland dynasty under the ages of ministry of external affairs government of India. A distinguished diplomat, academic and strategic affairs expert, Professor Ranganadan has made significant contribution to strengthening India Myanmar relation through diplomacy, trade, tourism and academic cooperation. His service has earned him several prestigious honors in recognition of his outstanding contribution to diplomacy and international relationship. We are deeply honored that his excellency professor Banganad has graciously joined our distinguished guest for the inauguration of the academ of international innovation. On behalf of Shankar Sagami, I extend a warm welcome to our um um professor Ranganad and sincerely thank you for graciously accepting our invitation. Thank you. Thank you Goinder for the comprehensive and distinguished introduction. We are truly privileged to have his excellency amongst us today. May I now respectfully request his excellency professor Ranganadan J honorary council of the republic of the union of Myanmar in Chennai to address the gathering. >> Oh yeah ambassador TP was um and uh the cons general of Malaysia Mr. Saranakmar Kumar was consiaia and uh the deputy high commissioner of Sri Lanka in southern India miss Dr. Kanyan Peshwuran and Dr. Vishnavi the chairperson and um other guest uh faculty members uh my dear students uh you know good evening namaste namaskarum mindalaba malaba is a burm's way of greeting the audience honorable dignitaries distinguished guests respected faculty members dear students ladies and gentlemen it is a great privilege to be here today for the inauguration of this academy for international relations an Academy devoted to international relations is not simply another academic institution. It is a space where we learn to understand a world that is becoming increasingly interconnected, increasingly uncertain and increasingly contested. And I believe that there could hardly be a more appropriate place for such an institution than Chennai. Chennai has historically been a city of exchanges, people, ideas, commerce and cultures. Its location on the Bay of Bengal is connected to Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean and the wider world of for centuries. Today, that same outward-looking character gives Chennai a natural place in India's engagement with the international system. The world is changing and diplomacy is changing with it. For much of the 20th century, international relations was understood primarily through the relationship between states, through war and peace, alliances, treaties, and negotiations. Today the picture is far more complicated. A pandemic can disrupt economies across continents. A conflict in one region can affect food and energy prices thousands of kilometers away. A cyber attack can cross borders without a soldier crossing a frontier. Climate change can reshape migration, security, and development. Artificial intelligence is creating opportunities that we are only beginning to understand while simultaneously raising difficult questions about security, ethics and international governance. The great challenges of our time therefore do not respect national borders and when challenges become global, our thinking must become global as well. This is why institutions such as Shanker's IA matter. International relations is not merely the study of foreign countries. It is a study of relationships between states, societies, institutions, economies, and people. And importantly, it is a study of how differences can be managed without allowing them to become conflicts. That brings us to the enduring importance of diplomacy. Diplomacy is sometimes imagined as a formal conversation between officials sitting around a table. But diplomacy is much more than that. At its heart, diplomacy is the ability to listen without surrendering one's interest, negotiate without surrendering one's principles, and disagree without closing the door to dialogue. That is not weakness, it is strength. A successful diplomat does not merely know what their country wants. A successful diplomat understands what the other side wants, what they wanted, and what constraint they face and where common ground might exist. In an increasingly fragmented world, the ability is becoming more valuable than ever. Ladies and gentlemen, for the young people who study here, international relations offers an extraordinary intellectual jump. You will encounter realism, liberalism, constructivism, and critical theories. You will study geopolitics, international law, economies, security, development, and foreign policy. But I would encourage you not only I would encourage you not to study international relation simply but as a collection of theories. Study it is a way of understanding the world. When you read about a conflict ask not only who is fighting whom but why the conflict emerged and what historical experiences shaped it and what interests are at stake. When you study a foreign policy decision ask why not what happened but what alternative what alternatives are available and why a particular choice was made. And when you study diplomacy, remember that every negotiation involves not only national interest but also perceptions, identities, historical memories and even and human beings. That intellectual curiosity is essential but knowledge alone is not enough. The diplomats, researchers, policy professionals and entrepreneurs of tomorrow will need another quality. The ability to think independently. We live in an age of information abundance. There is no shortage of opinion. There is no shortage of commentary. There is no shortage of information. What is increasingly scarce is careful judgment. The ability to distinguish evidence from assumption. The ability to question a popular narrative. The ability to recognize complexity without be paralyzed by it. And perhaps most importantly, the courage to change one's mind when the evidence demands it. That is what a serious academic institution must cultivate. Not students who simply know the answers, but students who know how to ask better questions. This academic therefore has an important responsibility. It must become a space where students can debate difficult questions without fear where competing perspectives can coexist where academic research can speak to policy and where young people can develop the confidence to engage with the world beyond the classroom. I would particularly encourage the academy to build strong connections between academia and practice. Students should have opportunities to engage with diplomats, policy makers, researchers, journalists, international organizations, businesses and civil society because international relations does not exist only in textbooks. It is being negotiated every day in capitals, international organization, boardroom, conflict zones and increasingly in digital spaces. India itself is at an important moment in its engagement with the world. As India seeks a greater role in shaping international institutions and addressing global challenges. We need a generation that understands both India's national interest and the responsibilities that accompany greater international influence. That requires confidence but also humility. It requires a defending national interest while recognizing the interest of others. And it requires understanding that India's international influence will not be measured only by the size of its economy or the strength of its military but also by the ideas, institutions, partnerships, values which contribute to the international system. This is where an academy such as this can make a meaningful contribution. You are entering to the study international relations at an extraordinary time. You will witness changes that previous generations could not have imagined. Some of you may some of you may become diplomats. Some may become academics, journalists, civil servants, lawyers, researchers or policy professionals. Others may enter fields that we cannot yet predict. But whatever path you choose, I hope you carry three principles with you. First, remain curious. Second, remain critical. And third, remain committed to dialogue. The international system will always contain disagreement. The objective of diplomacy is not to eliminate disagreement, but to ensure that disagreement does not make cooperation impossible. Let this academy therefore be more than a place where international relations is taught. Let it be a place where international understanding is built. Let it produce young people who can look beyond borders without forgetting the responsibilities at home. Who can defend their country's interest while understanding the perspectives of others and who can approach global problems with the strategic clarity and human empathy. The world does not need more voices simply speaking louder. It needs more people who can listen better, think deeper, negotiate smarter and act responsibly. That I believe is the real promise of this academic and al and so as we inaugurate this institution today, I hope that it will become a center of serious scholarship, construct your debate and a meaningful engagement with the world. May it inspire generations of students to look outward with confidence, think critically with the courage, contribute to a more peaceful, stable and cooperative international order. The world is changing. Let this academy help shape the people who shape the chain. Thank you AND [applause] >> thank you your excellency professor angaranadan sir for those profound insights on his profound insights on importance of developing knowledge on international relations to our students and we are wishes towards the academy of international relations underscoring India's neighborhood first policy and shared cultural heritage I invite Mrs. Raja Shawashanka, Faculty of Sociology to introduce our next esteemed dignitary. [applause] Good evening one and all dignitaries on the dis and off the dis. A very warm welcome to all of you. It's my privilege to introduce his excellency Dr. Dr. Ganesh Sanatan Gitwaren, Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka for Southern India. Dr. Giti Shwarin brings to diplomacy a unique blend of expertise in medicine, business administration and international cooperation. A qualified medical doctor with extensive clinical experience and a seasoned business administrator. He has successfully combined healthcare leadership with strategic management throughout his distinguished career. His international exposure includes several years in Russia and India, providing him with valuable insights into Eurasian and South Asian affairs. As an entrepreneur and a healthcare leader, he has spearheaded the development of major hospital projects including international collaborations demonstrating his commitment to public health innovation and crossber partnerships. His diverse experience in healthcare, commerce and diplomacy makes him a valuable contributor to strengthening the long-standing friendship and cooperation between Sri Lanka and India. It's indeed a privilege to have his excellency Dr. Ganesha Gishwaran with us today as one of the distinguished dignitaries joining us for the ina inauguration of the academy of international relations. On behalf of Shankaray Academy, I extend a very warm welcome to you sir and sincerely thank you for graciously accepting our invitation. Thank you once again. [applause] Namaste welcome and I go on uh disting distinguished chief guest ambassador uh Mr. Uh Tuasan honorable uh Mukeshwar he's not here I believe um uh Hi Jagnage Swami is also not here and representatives of IA Academy uh CG of Malaysia Mr. Salamar. Um and uh students, ladies and gentlemen. A very good evening to you all. Good evening. >> So it is a great pleasure to be part of inauguration of department of international relations. This is not merely the beginning of a new department but a platform to nurture future diplomats uh policy makers scholars and uh responsible global citizens. For India international relations has come become increasingly important. India is playing a global growing role in global affairs through platforms such such as UN G20 bricks and bins while strengthening regional partnerships through initiatives such as uh honorable PM's uh latest uh neighbors first policy as the deputy high commissioner of Sri Lanka for southern India I'm particularly pleased to see An initiative that promotes greater understanding between India and Sri Lanka. Our two countries share deep historical, cultural, economic and people-to-people ties. Academic engagement can further strengthen this enduring relationship. After taking position uh here for the past one year, I have signed up with uh many um universities like IIT and VIT with Sri Lankan universities. So education is one thing nobody can steal from you and as students sitting here one day you're going to going to serve your nation. So that has to be in your blood. So don't give up and don't get scared, don't get worried. So it's very easy if you just put it in the head and you're going to do it for your country definitely you're going to do it and I want to see the hands up of who are who are the foreign the IFS officers planning for IFS anybody here many oh very nice so again I wish you all the best just hit high you'll definitely reach reach there and um I congratulate Shankar Academy IS Academy the faculty and the students on this important initiative. I hope this department becomes a center of excellence in education, research and international engagement. Uh I was told uh 30% of you all succeed which is a big number out of 4,000 students. So I'm very happy to be here. May it inspire young minds to strengthen India and Sri Lanka relations and contribute to a peaceful, cooperative and prosperous world. And thank you and my very best wishes for the success of Department of International Relations. All the best. Thank you your excellency for those deeply inspiring and practical words. Your reminder that education is the one wealth that no one can steal along with a powerful call for our aspirants to serve fearlessly and with passion in their blood will truly resonate with every future leader in this hall. Reflecting on India's ACT is vision robust bilateral synergy across Southeast Asia. I invite Mr. Braman faculty of political science and international relations to introduce our next distinguished guest. Honorable dignitaries, faculty members and students, it's my privilege to introduce his excellency Mr. Saranakumar Kumarasam, Council General of Malaysia for South India and Chennai. A distinguished Malaysian diplomat, Mr. Saranakumar has been serving the Malaysian diplomatic and administrative service since 2002. Over the years, he has held key positions in the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, Ministry of Plantation, Industries, Commodities, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia. He has extensive experience in international trade, environmental diplomacy, bilateral relations, Asian cooperation, and multilateral affairs. Before assuming this current role as a council general of Malaysia for South India, he served as minister counselor and deputy head of mission at the embassy of Malaysia in Laos. Academically, sir holds degree in science, natural resource management and public sector management reflecting his strong foundation in public administration and international affairs. We are honored to have his excellence Mr. Sarakumar Kumaras with us today as one of the distinguished dignitaries for the inauguration of Academy for International Relations. Welcome sir. [applause] >> Thank you Preman Sur for highlighting his excellency's distinguished diplomatic career spanning over two decades and his extensive contributions across AC diplomacy and public administration. May I now respectfully invite his excellency Mr. Saranakumar Kumaras, Council General of Malaysia for South India to grace the podium and address the captain. Thank you to our MC and facilitators today for such a extensive introduction of me to uh distinguished uh ambassador upcoming prian and professor and madam and uh ladies and gentlemen fellow academic students aspirants of IS and IFS position. Welcome. Namaste. Salam Malaysia Madani. Salam Patang, Salam Satan, all these offices in Basa, Malaysia. Uh, I'd like to thank the academy for honoring me today to welcome on this launch of this academy and hospitality to welcome here. That is first and foremost. At the same time I guess I've seen our ambassador see she was in the YouTube channels that it's stimulating some IFS academic interviews. I always follow I think usually you know week ones at least I follow the interviews that sir conduct I mean stimulations uh during the interview sessions is very interesting. You can see the s experience how he provokes and get an answers from his interview guys you know so it's very interesting to learn that itself okay I mean nonetheless I'd like to share a few words that uh looking at my career if you see that background just now I'm a science graduate uh uh my background is biochemistry okay I finished biochemistry uh What happened is uh after I finished biochemistry, I entered University Malay Malaya of uh center for funding education. While that while while while there experience to be the uh uh executive in the executive development program of uh uh uh for foreign government officials under the World Bank and ADB and IMF programs. So from zero experience I just started as a fresh graduate I was put into role to manage uh uh all these foreign officials who come here sometime they can be permanent sack who's coming for a training one week attachment to have a project on sectoral uh exposures you know they might come to Malaysia because he's assigned Bangara to learn about our health sector education you know joint secretary senior officials juniors mid mid-level officers. No. So from there I I guess I I started to see how it looks you know compared to Malaysian system. Malaysian system of civil service similar to Indian system which would be inherited British system. It uh used to be called MCS Malaysian civil service. Now uh the the primary uh uh service that controls the overall government mission is diplomatic administrative offices. So this is a it's a prime officer that's uh usually become head of ministries and uh secretary to government I mean ministers and prime minister's office. So we'll be the top econom and then comes the second uh other groups. There are 24 classification the service. So each classification uh will be drived by this uh diplomatic and administrative service who controls overall policy administration uh uh budget budgeting uh advising ministers uh prime minister's office uh about world affairs economic uh uh conducting economic matters everything but it will be with with experts in the field because we have 20 other category of services. Okay. So what happened is uh yes at that time uh but interesting is I went through a uh at the same time when I was employed there I was also a research uh assistant to uh a professor who an interesting person is a he's a professor of creative thinking professor the late professor Leonard Yong missing who is my director of the of the department and also is a researcher and creative thinking He was a chemistry teacher and become a professor of uh creative thinking such a wonderful gem of a person. He is you know he never gets angry, never gets tensed up. He always uh his Bible is his guide but always quotes and guides and I was under he asked me to join him in the creative thinking research. So I was for 2 years under him. So the type of things I undergo under him is very interesting. So that is what uh uh actually prepared myself to where I am today. Okay. So it's very interesting. So what happened is I took up this exam after that after 2 years they recommended you know the professor and his deputy uh who's a also a great person who went up to set up open university of Malaysia. uh both of them actually tell me you don't stop here why don't you go and take this diplomatic administrative exam I didn't know about the exam that time so the m I was in a trip with them uh for a for a program I was away 2 days when I come back and sit on my on my desk you know the screenshot the screen that web web page that was the first thing in the morning the day I came the the screenshot that was showing is the application to enter the exam I don't know how he appeared that you see then I pray oh l don't ka what is this what message you're telling me they were talking about it and next morning I come to office I open this the screen is open and that website telling application to take this exam is exam is there so I also type my name I send my what is this interesting send then I went and took the exam first time I got I I passed with the full colors, you know. So my father, I didn't know my father got it. My father is a a chief cler, you know, customs. He got Hey, how when you never tell me, you know, you took this exam? I got this thing. You passed the exam, you know, all the all the papers. So I with that he was so happy. He was jumping around. Hey, you passed this exam. I know it's a tough exam. How you passed it, you know. So he took that paper, you know, showing you the results. you pass this exam are not easy how so and then after that I continued with that with the there was a four stage to enter the service that's only the exam is only the first you have to go for assessment psych psychological assessment and then uh uh management games and physical exercises all these we have to go we have to wake up 6:00 in the morning for at least one week they will ask you to run uh uh with some exercise and all this you have They will observe you and most important they will observe whether we are a team player. We are team player you know we or we come to the group group there and show our greatness by bullying everybody you know they will observe that the clever ones the great ones you know they will see that of course there's balance they will see but even the greatest of you know the the most cleverest of people with highest IQ whatever you name it when it comes to management you have to be inclusive and look at the overall society the strata of people around you you cannot be dominating meeting too much in every aspect of it. So they will look at that aspect in a meeting simulation in a in a case study in a game given. Okay. So that's how you know uh but you see this where my EQ aspect creative thinking the thing part my professor came and the readings and experience I had with me give me a h over there. How to behave in a large group approach? How to make sure people will observe you know you're sitting there examiners will see you they're observing every moment how you talk how you socialize how get around you know during meal times you know all these things you know so it's very interesting so uh of course at that time I had as my professor and the deputy told me you are a good candidate to become a diplomat you try yourself but I have to pass the four stage at first attempt at that stage I didn't get to enter the foreign ministry so what happened is uh I took up uh I was just took like I know 8 years uh I was in the ministry of pal and uh commodities so I was doing international marketing and uh that's why a lot of international relation matters that came to me I handle a lot of uh international trade negotiations uh TVs non non tar barriers you dealing with palm oil because palm oil had a big issue in the world regarding environmental degradation health issues you know uh in Europe US you know so we have to always think and when it comes to trade agreements with other countries all this issue will come into play so we have to be there observe then we have to defend our stand you know when uh uh it's a it's offensive or it's either offensive or you put uh your offer and request you know either you request or offen you fight it up or request that's the thing so uh I build myself on that technical skills you know then know uh after uh about 8 years after that I get an opportunity I gained a second opportunity to become a diplomat so I seized that opportunity it's a godsend moment I took up the opportunity and that moment I succeeded to enter the diplomatic service uh and this then ends is already now about 15 year in the and with two foreign postings and the second one being the council council general now. So this is my career. So what I'm trying to say is irrelevant of what you have studied in your UG or PG you know uh in I think I've seen is officer or medical doctors become a chief secretary in in government uh in a government states in state governments collectors who have uh IIT graduates. Okay. So I guess I think the that uh the room is always open. I mean the field is always open uh not not necessarily only the people of study mostly law graduates and IR economics is the one usually uh conservatively you know we go for the thing but uh nevertheless other graduates also can come into the field and you can expand your your horizon into these areas. You can you can know about a bit some international law doesn't need law degree like environmental uh studies you know you can you can pick up that okay climate change uh you know conventions not necessary of legal yogurt you can use your expertise in the area you are biology or whatever it is environmental and become expert become is officer I mean IFS officer by expert in the field of climate change sustainable development velopment. So on that scope see I was brought in into the ministry because my experience in trade negotiations non-tariff barriers TV technical barriers you know so it's very interesting aspect uh path I took in the foreign ministry of uh in my career in foreign ministry I've covered every part of it bilateral multilateral regional uh uh protocol uh administration you name it you know uh uh consular services so I've touched almost two two all these aspects and I'm that's why sometimes I feel I mean uh being uh this I I I look at this academic thing that opportune time that this kind of academics uh uh I mean created you know to and then they are going to this formation of international relations academic for international relations by this academy so I'd like to again applaud them for the initiative to move on to the next level And I guess this these fields AI won't cannot come near. Okay. AI won't able to defeat these fields. It's a it has a lot of human touch in it. As professor indicated just now how you know uh uh as a academician professor has indicated if you you read professors I'm sure professor will give a lecture later on some aspects how how we have to merge the differences we had. We cannot be emotional. You have to agree to disagree and leave that channel open always. Okay? It's not a matter of family family we we fight and then we don't talk and separate you know and this kind of things in in international relations you have to you cannot go to that kind of extent because the next stage is you know war you know conflict and war it's what happened in in the Middle East no in in in Ukraine and Russia you know uh so it is what we see is that the repercussions is ugly towards everyone right so uh the world is only uh and uh you see that what's happened in Nepal uh the glacia this thing you know innocent people's life loss so uh we have to put our ways together and India China with a large population you face big challenges in in confronting uh uh because your population is big somehow the migration factors will be there so the things you face in visa policies that in fact you all know so you have to go out and and convince people hey what's wrong Nothing wrong, right? You know, nothing wrong because America is made of migrants, right? America is made of migrants. Nothing there. Before they had only eight Indians, they are made by people who came from all over, you know, with this thing and made America great today. So they dream America still open. America is a dream for everybody, right? So this kind of things how we vocalize it you know bring it champion it you know and uh be friendly with everyone you know I mean the friendliness in tough it we have to be transactional in our thinking you know transactional uh because for us matters for you do this thing I I will react accordingly right friends is friends okay so let's be mutual friends and we always fight for mutual benefit for everybody for my family, for my country, for my society, you know, at the same time we build a wealth and we need comfortable life. So that's what all about. So I like to applaud the academy for the initiative and uh to establish this academy and launching today and again thanking academy for inviting me honoring today to deliver uh one towards today. Thank you SO MUCH. THANK you your excellency for that uh deeply engaging and personal address. Your personal journey from qualifying uh tough administrative examinations to handling highstake international trade negotiations and mastering group dynamics as a team player provides our students with the exact blueprint of what it takes to be a true diplomat and a public servant. We now arrive at a very special moment of this inaugural evening representing the next generation and the enduring legacy of this institution. I have the immense pleasure of inviting Miss Sahana, daughter of our beloved founder, the late Shri Shanka and chairperson to introduce our chief guest. >> Good evening all. It is my distinct honor to introduce our chief guest, his excellency, Ambassador TP Shini Vasan, a distinguished member of the Indian foreign service and one of India's most accomplished diplomats. During his illustrious diplomatic career, Ambassador Shini Wasin held some of India's most prestigious diplomatic assignments. He served as ambassador of India to the United States, high commissioner of India to Kenya and Fiji and deputy deputy chief of mission in Washington DC. He also represented India at the United Nations in New York, Nairobi and Vienna where he served as India's governor to the International Atomic Energy Agency. He holds unique distinction of having been posted to the United States on three separate occasions reflecting the exceptional trust placed in his diplomatic leadership. Following his distinguished diplomatic career, he served as a member of the National Security Advisory Board, Government of India, New Delhi, contributing to India's strategic and national security policy meeting. He has also made outstanding contributions to academia and public policy as director general of the Kerala international center, vice chairman of the Kerala state higher education council, director of the NSS civil service academy and professor of eminence and visiting professor at leading universities. His exemplary contributions to diplomacy, strategic affairs, international relations, and higher education make his presence especially meaningful as we celebrate this important milestone in our institution's journey. Ladies and gentlemen, it is our privilege to welcome his excellency ambassador TP Shini as one of the distinguished dignitaries joining us for the inauguration of the Academy of International Relations. Thank you. Thank you Mr. Hana for those heartfelt words. Seeing the next generation embrace this uh noble vision with such passion and clarity assures her that the legacy of Shankaraya Academy is in truly inspiring hands. Ladies and gentlemen, it is our distinct privilege to present our distinguished chief guest, his excellency ambassador Mr. Dr. Teshi Wazi, former ambassador and the permanent representative of India to the United Nations and former governor for India at the International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna. Sir, we eagerly invite you to deliver the inaugural keynote address. Dr. Director of the Shar Academy Professor Vindon who seems to have inspired this institute the virtual diplomatic council core of Chennai. very distinguished professors and teachers and more than anybody else the students of the academy whom I have addressed before. Today is teachers day and perhaps one teacher we should remember on this occasion is nothing other than Mr. Shankar himself. I met him only a few times but I was very impressed with the commitment that he brought to this institution. In fact, he told me that he was happy that he did not make it into the civil service because if he had joined the civil service, he would have been just a civil service officer and now he has created hundreds of civil service officers. He was very proud of it. >> [applause] >> So on this occasion I think we should pay attention. I was very happy to see that today's Indian express is a feature and the front page is Mr. Ch. It was very appropriately done. Probably this is the only instance where a civil service academy is turning into an academic institution. It is normally the other way around. You know many universities, schools start thinking about training their students for the civil service. But this is the first time at least in my experience that the civil service academy is thinking in terms of creating knowledge rather than simply teaching. So it's a dramatic turn of events and I congratulate both them I I mentioned both of them for creating this institution. The advantage of such an institution is that you already enough of people variety of people who can pick and choose what they want to learn. And with Chennai having so many diplomatic personnel and others, universities, scientists, I think it's a very appropriate decision to have this. Well, um I was happy I being asked to speak at the end because then I don't have to speak anything because whatever I could have said or would have liked to say have already been said but then a diplomat and a mic they cannot separate each other. Be very difficult to take me away from a mic. But I would like to just touch upon a few points because we are today talking about the changes in the world. And is the world better today than what it was when I joined the foreign service in 1967? Here's a thought I always have. Actually it was a better world because after India became independent we faced this question of whether to go to the western block or the eastern block and Pit Nearu invented non-alignment. So the problem solved both liked us and both disliked at the same time and that gave us an extensive space to operate. People did not know who this animal was non-aligned. In fact, looking back at it, it was the wrong word because nonalignment means it is very negative. I don't know why Panditaru with all his skills in English, he chose this word. But now we have a better word strategic autonomy. That is perhaps a better word because we are not aligned or non-aligned with anybody. The basic element about non-alignment was that we will take our decisions by our own judgment, our own lights. Nobody else is going to tell you what you should do. And that is the fundamental of non-alignment. So if you say oh now the blocks are not there is no non. No, even if there are no blocks, there are no great powers to remain committed to your own ideals and be inspired by your own principle to take decisions on any aspect of the world is something unique. I don't think anyone else in history has invented it. But why is it now? What is it now today? I spent almost uh 3/4 of my career in the UN corridors in Vienna in New York twice in Geneva and I have feeling that what has changed the world is a change in the United Nations. I don't think this is very well understood because the United Nations was taken for granted as an international organization and India particularly has great faith in the United Nations unlike several other countries because we contributed a lot the largest number of uh military personnel any country has contributed to the UN is India. Not just that the best Indian diplomats always go to the UN and many of them have become international diplomats and they have served with distinction in the UN. But the idea of the UN was that after the second world war is over and he realized how bad the world had become, how much suffering there was. So the United Nations is established with the single objective of as the charter says to rid the future generations of the scourge of war. These other words to rid the future generations of the scourge of war having seen the first and second world wars. >> So it was a very noble objective. But look at the world at that time when the UN was established there were only 52 independent countries in the world to become members. We were not independent but we were allowed to become a member. In 45 we were not an independent country but the world invited India to be there otherwise there would have been only 52 countries in the world but today there are 193 countries. Have you ever wondered where these countries were? They were all colonies. They were all not independent. And how was India important in this decolonization process? Because India was the only country which won independence without firing a shot. You may have fired a few odd Englishmen but as India we never fired a shot. Even the United States became independent by fighting a war against the United Kingdom. Don't forget that. So India became a beacon in this United Nations uh firmament as a champion of decolonization. You know there are only 18 small territories which are not independent today and therefore the trustees council which was established for decolonization still functions because in the UN you cannot stop anything. You can start anything but stopping is difficult. I shall give you a very interesting example. In the United Nations all the all of us when we sit in the conferences you will get not a bottle of water but a jug of water and a glass. Each delegate gets one. We just took it for granted you know you need water sometimes. But one day in the general assembly and the budgetary committee the Pakistani delegator take place. First of all, secretary general tell us how much money you are spending on this water. Okay. So the next day the secretary general came with an unimaginable cost that was $2 million US to give water to generous. So the Pakistani delegate on the spot moved a resolution that we stop serving waters save 2 million for you and put up some fountains wherever you want you can and that was established and when the next year's budget came the $2 million for supply of water was still there. So everybody was astonished. How come? Then they said the employees who are employed have to retire before we can stop serving water. But since you wanted no water, so we are not giving you water anymore, but we have to still pay them. And then somebody asked what are they doing? They water in the gardens of the United Nations. Another thing you can never change is once you establish a peacekeeping operations I'm not going to you know all that it cannot be withdrawn unless all the parties concerned agree it looks very reasonable right that if two countries agreed to put in a peacekeeping operation then to remove it you must have a country but do you know how I don't know how many of you know there is a peacekeeping operation on the Indian border with Pakistan. Do you know that? >> How many people and what are they doing? Nothing. This is called the UN Mogi. Have you heard about it? United Nations military observable group for India and Pakistan. Since 19447, these gentlemen are hanging around the Himalayas keeping the peace between India and Pakistan. And the funny thing is when you recruit a peacekeeping operation, you have to get people who are friendly to both countries or at least not eneal to both countries. Therefore, at the height of peacekeeping operations in the Middle East, India was never invited because we are not friendly to Israel. So, India was excluded from all peacekeeping operations in the Middle East because they were they were not neutral. And so, they even went around looking for people who are neutral for India. They could only find a few soldiers in Latin America. So even today 32 Latin American soldiers are roaming around in the mangas at our cost. Every year we move a resolution in the general assembly saying please ask these gentlemen to leave. We don't recognize them. We have to give them access in New Delhi because they live in New Delhi but we don't recognize them on the border. So what they do is they stay on the Pakistan side of the border where they are you know fed and looked after by the Pakistanis >> and they send these reports to the secretary general >> who ignores it because this is a partial report there is nothing from the Indian so like there are so many the so-called setting you know you know the sun rising and sun setting so there are many sunset organization has been given even today and we cannot change it very much but then what has changed two most important events which destroyed the United Nations I don't know whether you can mention it whether you notice it first one was of all things COVID 19 what was the significance of covid-19 was the greatest threat to human existence. Millions of people died and the security council could not even hold a meeting. Why? Because everybody was accusing China and China being a permanent member did not want this issue to be discussed. So can you imagine an organization and on a nonpolitical issue could not do anything and you contrast it with HIV, AIDS and Ebola crisis the security council got in directly ignored and therefore the damage was not as much here for 2 years there was no international court there's not even a single meeting of the security council and Countries like India try to make vaccine and send it around and all that. But if security council was involved as it was in HIV AIDS and Ebola at least 2 million lives would have been saved. At that time I wrote this is the rock bottom where the United Nations is reached. It cannot go below that. But then we discovered it could go even below that. What happened? A permanent member of the security council whose responsibility is with other four to keep international peace invades another member country. Has it happened ever in history? These people were given permanent membership not as a profit. Oh, you won the second world war so please become permanent members. No, they were given the responsibility to keep the peace in the world. That is why they were given to you. But they have forgotten that. And what Russia did was another burial of the United Nations. Because if it's permanent member of the security council can fight a war now for how many years? About 5 years now. Where is the United Nations today? The UN Secretary General is personal in Israel. He cannot enter there. So where is the United Nations? because it carries on serving water or water in the greens. So these are the two major developments which has changed the world. Of course many of us think that one man is changing the world today. I don't have to mention his name. Nobody mentioned him. Even Hitler did not change it by himself by himself. He had at least an army with him. This man does not even have a army, nothing. He's changing everything every day. So he started by saying I want Iceland. I want Panama Canal. I want this that and so we are all verified but they are all still there but he's not bothered because he has moved on to other things. So one most interesting thing that happened was one night he said that tonight I'm going to destroy the Iranian civilization. You remember that one evening he said tonight I'll destroy Iran. If any other president of the United States had said that we would not have gone to sleep. But I I slept very happy. Iran is being destroyed. How can you sleep? But we knew by the time he wakes up he'll forget that. So the next morning he declared what? The ceasefire. And the joke about him now you know my son is in the because he's not in the Nobel Prize committee but he's what is called Nobel Prize outreach committee. He doesn't decide who the nobs are but his job is to his committee's job is to propagate the Nobel Prize. There is no need to propagate it but anyway somebody has to do a job. So that is his job. and he was there in Oslo yesterday and day before yesterday conducting a meeting of past Nobel Prize winners and all of them had five six of them and there they created a joke they said Mr. Donald Trump should be given the Nobel Prize looked at everybody else why should be then somebody said who else in the world has stopped wars at 10 times In two years, isn't it? He stopped the war many days. Don't don't think he said today that from tomorrow there is no war. Hasn't he said that? So they said in the Nobel committee seriously they said let us give a Nobel prize because nobody has stopped wars 10 times. This is the state of affairs. Why has this happened? Is United Nations such an important but the United Nations however ineffective it may have been? We know several cases there did not were not effective our own case Jammu and Kashmir when Kashmir was occupied by part of Kashmir was occupied by Pakistan. What would any president or prime minister of India would have done was to send the army into that place and clear it in say 3 days. In fact, the army chief told the prime minister, "Give me three days. I'll get rid of them." And you know what said war? I'm the prime minister of India. Not only that, they elected me for my love for peace and for me to start my career as the prime minister of India with a war will be suicidal. Will be bad for the country, bad for us. So let us go instead of going 1 and a half kilometers to kill the Pakistanis we deserve to go 50,000 kilometers to the UN with an idealistic feeling that in some way or the other we will be justice will be done to India. Even today no justice is done. Pakistan is still occupying PK. Why why is it that the UN take a decision but UN has taken a decision that's the funny part of it they adopted a resolution which Pakistan keeps on quoting it to all of us and I'm sure you are all misled by it these Indians have been told by the United Nations Security Council to conduct a referendum in Juan you have heard this right have you ever wondered why there There was no beside. One day a very senior Arab ambassador took me and gave me a dream and he said, "Mr. Ambassador, I want to tell you something. Why don't you just give Kashmir to Pakistan? What do you do? You're a big country and there in any case Muslims, you don't need them. Give it to them." I said, "Mr. Ambassador, I agree. Just now I agreed to this." He was even more shocked. I said on one condition if tomorrow 4 million Kashmiris leave India because they cannot be part of India. What would happen to 200 million Muslims in India? Have you ever thought of it? Will you save them? Will you take charge of them? He said ambassador please keep cashing. [laughter] So there have been successes. There have been in fact once the secretary general of the UN was asked at the 70th anniversary. Ban Kimmoon was asked what is the greatest achievement of the UN in the last 70 years. Any secret would have said we prevented a third world war. Isn't it? There was no third world war. There was United Nations. But whether it was because the United Nations there was no third world we don't know. There is a funny story about this. In the UN one day a man a bearded man appeared in front of the UN and started you know spreading some white powder on the street on 42nd street. Again he came the next day and put some. So after a few days somebody went up to him. He must have been a retired ambassador or sacked ambassador. So he when they asked him what are you doing? What what is your purpose? He said this is to keep lions out of Manhattan. Then they said how foolish there are no lions in Manhattan. He said no you know how effective my powder is. So that's what the unis did. You are there. There was no third world war. So you can say we stop the threat of nothing more than that. So but what we do not have now is a credible structure of the United Nations. It remains in the charter but everything that the United Nations had established in terms of peacemaking, peace building, peace uh negotiations etc. is very much there in the UN charter. What to do first? Secretary General when he hears about any conflict anywhere in the world, he can do what is called preventive diplomacy. He doesn't need to do anything but quietly he can meet wherever there is trouble and start what is called preventing diplomacy. It doesn't work. Then suppose there's a war then the secretary general's job is to declare a ceasefire. It's all outlined there and then you should put a peacekeeping operation between them so that the it doesn't flare up. All right. And then negotiations and after the negotiations you have to rebuild the whole country both the countries. So that is peace building. So like that there is a sequence given in the security in the charter the preventive diplomacy uh ceasefire peace making and peacekeeping then yeah and also peace building and for the last negotiations but none of this is possible and therefore whatever resolutions that the security council passes becomes becomes ineffective because one way or the other it cannot be and that is really the consequence of what has happened is not that President Trump has come and destroyed everything that is not so I don't think that theory is right the UN though it was not fundamental to the peace of the world it produces structure and that structure is completely destroyed because it was very comfortable as I said West, east, we are non line. It was a very comfortable show. I did I did three postings in the UN. First in the cold war, I was very happy. Then immediately after the cold war, I couldn't recognize the Russian delegate and American delegate. They're all talking the same thing. Earlier if Americans say something, the Russians will say something. No, but they were great friends. They started repeating Russians are talking about democracy and rights of people, etc., etc. And they said it without any expression. The face was the same. The the hard disk was the same but the soft thing had changed. And then I came to the third the present situation where the United Nations is orderless. So I would still prefer the first age rather than the present because we do not have any idea as to what you can do. We do not have the resources to fight any of these wars. And if you look at the 21st century wars, nothing has ended. They only started in the last century. Look at any war. You know that there are 59 wars waging in the world today counting Armenia and Azaran. You don't even think about it. India and Pakistan, we are also in it. There are 59 listed wars which have not ended. And most of them came in the 21st century. In the old there were so many wars 100 years war of the rosters first world war second world war but they all ended at one point. But now where is Russia Ukraine war going? Any any idea who is what does he want? People keep asking President Trump what do you want? Please tell us we'll give you that. Don't don't destroy the world. But we don't know what he wants. We don't know what Russia wants. What does Russia want? Ukraine was part of Russia. This is like saying the issue is Hormos. We have to open hormos. But Hormos was open before the war started. Hormos was happy operating. What is this about opening the hormos? Or the other question you know this is because Iran wants to make nuclear weapons. Who is making nuclear weapons? You see the only three countries who defied the nuclear non-prololiferation treaty. Can you guess who they are? >> India, Pakistan and >> who? >> North Korea. >> North Korea is they have signed they have signed. So can you imagine we are in a group of three in the world actually paras of the world because we are not scientific because we have our logic and imagine being one of these three in the atomic energy commission that's what I was saying you will not believe it we are not allowed to enter some buildings of the United Nations because of the headquarters because we have not signed the NPT Indian diplomats are not allowed because that deals with NPT and safeguards and you're not supposed to know and who are my best friends the Pakistani and the Israeli ambassadors any other posting I would not even know them in Vienna we are always together and sometimes suddenly a flash comes and we all start looking at each other what the other guy is doing and India of course is the leader always. So they look at me and when I raise my hand they were not raising. So then they look at me and they both raise and then one chairman said why are you following the Indian game? Why don't you this situation is still there even after we signed the nuclear treaty with United States and we have now become so respectable responsible countries etc. But what are being allowed to do? You're being allowed to only import uranium or trade with other countries. But we still have no right to make nuclear weapons. Okay. What has Iran done? Iran has signed the NPT. And what is that? Signing the NPT means what? Pledge that they will never make. And what is President Trump is asking? Give us a pledge that you will not make nuclear. Then why is he sign the NPT? So is that an issue? Iran has signed the NPT and the Ayatah had declared that any bomb in Islamic world is haram not permitted to that country. You're saying please pledge otherwise we'll attack you. What sense does it make? DPRK is another case. they signed they made a bomb and they wanted to withdraw and they were not allowed to withdraw. So it's too many details but the point I'm trying to make is the basic structure of the world as envisaged after the second world war. Please finish and the last sign of it was that the secretary general announced in January that from July onwards I have no money to run this organization. You remember that he sent out a letter. He said I'll have no money. Why? because nobody's paying their contributions. You know how the UN is done is is run all of us don't pay the same amount of money. Okay. There is a formula by which you find the capacity to pay of each and that is determined by a committee of the UN looking at the population growth uh GDP per capita income of all the countries concerned. United States pays 22%. Toualu which has only 5,000 people as high commission to Tuual is in the South Pacific only 5,000 people they pay only $1,000. So the range is from 22% of the budget which is millions to $1,000 but everybody has to pay in accordance with the capacity to pay. And I'm sure you will not be flattered when I say how much we pay 4%. 4% of the budget. So often Indians ask us why are you making all these speeches with 4%. Then we said no no no this is not calculated on the base of what you pay higher ideals nobody believes you so this money has to be paid by 24th of February every financial year and India was one of those countries was play paid every year in full and in time. many others default. But this year for the first time only 44 countries paid out of the 193 so what will the UN do? U's budget is not so much because one president once said what is his UN budget I can pay for it because I pay more for New York metropolis metrop metrop metropolitan police we pay more than what we pay to the UN. So he said that but Chile will not pay the Cindra Cinder's grand you know stepmother what was her philosophy you deny Cindraila something and then she would look better wasn't it that was the strategy don't give her anything and then she isn't it many of us we deny our children something so these are just a few aspects of it but what we have to realize is that the old old world order is And the new world order is not born yet and everybody is begging and that is why we have so many regional groups. You have bricks there, your s here, your this there that nobody wants to commit to a new world order because they do not know where they will fit into that world. the China, United States, Russia, etc. So they are also not strong because others are not supporting them as much as they used to. How many people in the world have supported Russia in the world? How many people are supporting Trump on his Iran war? So the great powers have lost their clubs and others are not joining them. So this is really the problem that is facing us. So it is not something which has happened out of the blue. If we go back in the history of course giving the V2 to the government members was the biggest mistake perhaps. But then Indian diplomat will never say that. You know why? We survived because of Soviet veto. Five times the Soviet Union vetoed resolutions asking the UN to send a force to Kashmir. There was a revol resolution by the security council to throw India out of Goa because we got the Portuguese out in Afghanistan. Of course, Russia itself was in the forefront. But we supported Russia because we are also in that case criticized. So how will a new world be created? This is the challenge and what are we doing about it? What we are now doing is not simply dealing with bilateral disputes but we have identified identifi identified so-called global problems. We heard about it today. Many people mentioned human rights. Many people mentioned uh environment. So these are issues which which are of a global nature but not directly the policy involvement of the countries. So we have been creating a lot of resolutions and this thing in order to deal with the global problems that is of course it is not very effective but so orientation is not now to the old power politics. It's a new situation. If I go further, I think you'll all sleep and so I won't do that. So I just wanted to touch up on these to correct the impression that these are something temporary and we'll get over it and we have to do something very fundamental and there is nothing in sight because Gaza war is continuing. Ukraine is going on. Iraq, Iraq and United States. So where are we going to go away from? And that is the challenge. So the debate now today is do you need IR studies with all your IR studies look at the world. On the other hand the the position I support is you need more and more studies. How many of you knew many of the things I told you? Obviously you never heard about these things. So that means education is required. Have you ever thought of how many countries were in the UN when it was formed and where of the others? These are we never think about it. We think of deep issues in the world. But the fundamental deficiencies or fundamental difficulties of an international system is what is needed to be studied. And thus I come to finally to the point that what you're doing is a great thing. So you're not going to prepare now the students with international relations to pass it. No, that's not working. Your objective should be to create as much information as possible on international relations and try to build consensus at least among ourselves and that I think is the way to go and I'm so glad that uh this idea has taken shape and we'll all work with it. I've been coming here over the last 15 years and I used to even give a weekly talk on u online called international relations capsule for shankaray academy which many people are losing using as their textbook. So I've done a lot my own way to shank academy. So I see that there's a result of all that. So let's hope that you will become one of the major centers of international stuff and both of you will be congratulations. Thank you very much indeed. [applause] Thank you your excellency for that extraordinarily profound and poant address. Your touching tribute to a founder reminding us that his part transformed an individual ambition into the empowerment of hundred of nation builders deeply moved every heart in this hall. Your recognition of this academy transitioning from training to true knowledge creation validates our highest aspirations. We are immensely honored by your presence and your visionary words. To express our gratitude to the diplomatic envoys, esteemed faculty and participants of uh this program, I invite Mrs. Padmapria at human resources to deliver the formal order of thanks. Namaste everyone. On behalf of Shankaray Academy, I'm honored to deliver the word of thanks on this memorable occasion, the inauguration of the academy for international relations. If we view the world as a vast canvas, we realize that ma major global developments are often shaped by small but yet significant connections. Much like reverse engineering helps us understand how complex system is built, international relations enables us to trace global developments to their origins and understand how nations, institutions, technology, culture and shared challenges are interconnected. The world has passed through periods of uniolarity and bipolarity. Today we are entering a new era. I would say it is multipolarity or even heteropolarity in which influence is distributed among nations, institutions and diverse global forces. In this evolving world order as s said through strategic autonomy does not mean maintaining an equal distance from global conflicts. It means maintaining equal closeness, engaging constructively with different countries while protecting our national interest and preserving our freedom to make independent decisions. This is why a sound understanding of international relations is essential for future administrators and diplomats. India strengthened by its glorious civilizational past and renewed confidence aspires to inspire the world and emerge as a vishu guru. Although India experienced British colonial rule, we never abandoned our civilizational identity, our wisdom or our values. We also share deep historical and cultural bonds with many of our civilizational cousins across the world. Through this academy, we must equip our ambitious aspirants to think deeply, broaden their horizons, understand global relationships and contribute meaningfully to India's journey on the world stage. Our sincere thanks to Sri Mukeshwar GI, Sri Jagani, Sri Kartikal, Talangji and Sri Krishna for sending the wishes. We express our sincere gratitude to professor Ranganadin, honorary consulate of the republic of Myanmar and Dr. Ganeshan Nadan Giteshwaran, deputy high commissioner of Sri Lanka for southern India and Mr. Salon Kumar Kumarasagam, consulate general of Malaysia for gracing this occasion and sharing their valuable insights. We are deeply honored by the presence of our distinguished chief his excellency Shri Pña, former ambassador and permanent representative of India to the United Nations and former governor for India at the international atomic energy agency in Vienna. Sir, your address has enriched our understanding of diplomacy honestly, global affairs and India's evolving role in the world. We convey our heartfelt gratitude for you for making this inaugural function truly memorable. The presence of these eminent dignitaries each associated with different countries through distinguished diplomatic and consular responsibilities has inspired our aspirants strengthened their confidence and encouraged them to think deeply about India's relationship with the world. Maybe this initiative is small. It's a small beginning, but it holds immense possibilities. Just as a tiny seed contains the potential to grow into a mighty banyan tree, we hope the Academy for International Relations will grow into a very powerful platform for nurturing knowledgeable, responsible and visionary leaders. So, beginning this initiative on teachers day makes it especially meaningful. We sincerely thank our faculty members, coordinators, staff members, maintenance team and everyone who worked behind the scenes to organize this program. Finally, I thank all our aspirants and the members of the audience for their enthusiastic participation. Thank you everyone. [applause] Thank you BNA. Thank you BNA PM for articulating your gratitude so eloquently. As we bring this landmark uh inaugural evening to a close, may I request all dignitaries, guests, faculty members and aspirants to kindly rise for the national >> [music] >> Sing [music] me >> [singing] [music] >> J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J Thank you everyone. [music] Heat. [music] >> [music] >> I keep saying that there are no black and white answers in diplomacy and in geopolitics. things evolve. [music] >> In today's interconnected world, borders may define [music] nations, but relationships define their future. The 21st century has [music] transformed the nature of global politics. Nations no longer compete through military strength alone. They compete through ideas, innovation, diplomacy, partnerships, and global influence. International relations [music] today extends far beyond traditional diplomacy. It encompasses trade, technology, climate action, public health, education, cyber security, and sustainable [music] development. It is the discipline that connects national aspirations [music] with global opportunities. At its heart lies the art [music] of diplomacy, the ability to engage, negotiate, build trust, and transform differences into cooperation. From the United Nations and G20 [music] to regional and multilateral institutions, countries work together to address challenges that transcend [music] borders. peace and security, economic development, climate change, humanitarian [music] crisis and global health. For India, international engagement is central to its [music] vision of becoming a leading global power, strengthening strategic partnerships, championing the global south, and contributing to a more [music] inclusive, sustainable, and peaceful world. As the world becomes increasingly [music] interconnected, the need for informed scholars, visionary diplomats, strategic thinkers, and [music] responsible global citizens has never been greater. Today marks the beginning of a new chapter. The inauguration of the Academy for International [music] Relations is more than the launch of an academic department. It is the creation of a platform that will nurture future diplomats, policy analysts, researchers, negotiators and [music] leaders who will shape India's engagement with the world. Diplomacy, strategy, leadership, global cooperation. Welcome to the future of global politics with Academy for International Relations.