Integration of Strategic Thinking and Economic Reforms Imperative for Growing Indian Economy: Ahluwalia

November 09, 2013

New Delhi: Highlighting the disconnect between strategic thinking and economic sections in India, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia, today urged the country to focus on interlinking economics with Internal and External Security. Shri Ahluwalia was speaking on ‘Indian Economy and National Security’ at the 49th Foundation Day of the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) on November 9, 2013.

Shri Ahluwalia said that India could achieve its target of 8 per cent growth provided difficult policy decisions were taken. Policy logjam would restrict India’s growth to 5-6 per cent, he added.

Talking about Inclusive growth as critical for economic development, Shri Ahluwalia, said that since 2004 India has witnessed a “much larger decline in poverty”, than was the case before. He said that the definition of ‘self reliant’ has now changed to being able to “pay for what we import”, and insisted upon the need for greater foreign investment and interaction with the external world for India to achieve its targeted growth rate. “India cannot be technologically self reliant in all fields to deal with all challenges, especially in energy and water scarcity,” he noted.

Shri Ahluwalia further emphasised upon the need for forming a consensus on the kind of development India is looking at for the growth of its economy. He highlighted importance of technology in promoting Indian Economy and in bringing investments to the country.

He urged analysts to look at national security and economic development in a holistic manner and suggested greater cooperation amongst different sections of the Government dealing with economy and strategy.

The Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission presented the prestigious K Subrahmanyam Award to Research Fellow, IDSA, Wg Cdr Ajey Lele for excellence in Research on Strategic and Security Issues. IDSA scholar, Mr S Samuel C Rajiv, was also honoured with the President’s Award for the best article in a refereed journal.

The event was chaired by Ambassador Ronen Sen, who has occupied several responsible positions in the government and has been India’s Ambassador to the US, Germany, Russia, UK and Mexico.

Earlier, welcoming Shri Ahluwalia and other distinguished guests, Director General, IDSA, Dr Arvind Gupta, lauded the untiring efforts of generations of scholars, experts and previous directors of IDSA in helping the institute emerge as a premier think tank in the country, devoted to the study of the problems of national security, issues of defence, strategy and international relations.