- Rashtriya Raksha University’s fourth global capacity-building programme under the ITEC initiative brings together senior officials from 17 countries for an intensive two-week immersion in international law and national security
- From maritime, aerospace and economic security to information warfare, autonomous weapons, diplomacy and psychological dimensions of conflict, the programme maps the new grammar of global security governance
- Hands-on sessions at MAHASAGAR Navigation Simulator Lab and firing simulator, along with visits to Rani Ki Vav and Sabarmati Ashram, blend strategic learning with cultural diplomacy
- Valedictory session also turns into a moment of institutional pride as participants congratulate RRU Vice-Chancellor Bimal N. Patel on his election as Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, JUNE 24
In a significant academic-diplomatic exercise that positioned Gandhinagar at the crossroads of global security learning, Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) has concluded its Fourth Global Capacity Building Programme on Fundamentals of International Law and Security, bringing together 30 senior officials from 17 countries for an intensive two-week engagement on the legal, strategic and operational dimensions of contemporary security governance.
Organised by the School of Integrated Coastal and Maritime Security Studies (SICMSS) under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme of the Ministry of External Affairs, the programme was designed to deepen participants’ understanding of fast-evolving challenges in international law and national security while strengthening dialogue, cooperation and knowledge exchange among partner nations.
Over the course of the programme, participants underwent around 27 technical sessions spanning a wide spectrum of issues at the intersection of law, security and governance. The sessions were delivered by a distinguished line-up of academicians and practitioners, including A.K. Harbola on maritime and coastal security, Rajnish Verma on aerospace and air security, Sunil Kavishwar on financial and economic security, Prabhakarana Paleri on factoring well-being into national security, Aparna Verma on information warfare, Manas K. Mandal on psychological dimensions of security, Amruta Karambelkar on security studies, Subhajit Bandopadhyay on data, disasters and diplomacy, Parikshet Sirohi on autonomous weapon systems in contemporary warfare and international law, Srinivas Burra on Third World Approaches to International Law, Ankur Sharma on international law-making processes, Yash Vardhan on jurisdictional issues in international law and maritime governance, and Pruthvi Gerben on sports diplomacy as an instrument of peace and security, among others.
The programme also moved beyond the lecture hall. Participants received practical exposure at the MAHASAGAR Navigation Simulator Lab and underwent hands-on familiarisation at the firing simulator, giving the course an applied dimension in addition to its academic depth.
In a blend of strategic learning and cultural immersion, the visiting officials also participated in the university’s tree plantation drive and visited Rani Ki Vav, the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Patan known for its Maru-Gurjara architectural splendour. They also travelled to Sabarmati Ashram, where they paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, adding a civilisational and diplomatic layer to the programme experience.
The valedictory session was presided over by Dharmesh Prajapati, Registrar, RRU; Prabhakarana Paleri, Life Time Professor; Avinash Kharel, Dean, Affiliation and Accreditation; Ravish Shah, Head, ICRB; and Ankur Sharma, Director, SICMSS.
Yash Vardhan, Assistant Professor, SICMSS and Programme Coordinator, presented the report of the training programme, outlining its key activities, themes and outcomes.
In his valedictory address, Dharmesh Prajapati congratulated the participants on successfully completing the programme and appreciated their active engagement throughout the two weeks. Avinash Kharel highlighted the avenues of affiliation and accreditation available for police academies and training institutions from participating countries with RRU. Ravish Shah outlined the university’s future plans and models of knowledge cooperation for partner nations, including scholarship opportunities for full-time academic programmes at the university. Prabhakarana Paleri encouraged participants to embrace lifelong learning and continue strengthening professional cooperation across borders.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Ankur Sharma, Director, SICMSS, expressed gratitude to the governments of the participating countries for nominating their officials and thanked the Indian Missions abroad and the Ministry of External Affairs for facilitating the programme. He also expressed his sincere gratitude to all distinguished speakers who delivered sessions during the training programme.
Sharma further conveyed his gratitude to RRU Vice-Chancellor Bimal N. Patel for his address during the inaugural session and to Prabhakarana Paleri, Dharmesh Prajapati and others for addressing the participants during the valedictory session.
The closing ceremony also became a moment of celebration for the university community. Participants joined the RRU fraternity in congratulating Bimal N. Patel, who was elected a day earlier in New York by States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as a Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). Participants described the achievement as a matter of pride not only for the university but also for the Global South, and acknowledged Patel’s contributions to the fields of international law and maritime law.
By bringing together officials from 17 nations in Gandhinagar for a deep dive into law, security, technology and cooperation, RRU’s latest programme has done more than deliver a training module — it has strengthened the university’s growing role as a global platform for strategic learning and cross-border security dialogue.
