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Gandhinagar: As part of the year-long celebrations to commemorate the centenary of Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Gujarat government organized the ‘Atal Remembrance Lecture Series’ across the state.
The second session of the series was organized at Sardar Patel Institute of Public Administration (SPIPA), Gandhinagar in collaboration with Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA), officials shared today.
The theme of the session was ‘Guided by vision, governed by values’.
Delivering the keynote address was Sujan R., Director General, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defense Studies and Analyzes (MP-IDSA), New Delhi and former Ambassador of India. Chinoy described Vajpayee as a towering personality – an intellectual, poet, philosopher and exemplary politician.
Chinoy said, “Vajpayeeji never allowed power, position or politics to overshadow his principles. National interest, welfare of citizens and peaceful co-existence were always at the core of his policies.”
Highlighting Vajpayee’s oratory skills, Chinoy said the former prime minister was a master communicator, equally adept in Hindi, English and Urdu.
Chinoy commented, “Vajpayee was never opposed to any ideology or viewpoint and never made political disagreements personal, which earned him praise even from his critics.”
Referring to Vajpayee’s political journey, Chinoy recalled that his career began in the 1950s and spanned five decades. He served ten terms in the Lok Sabha and two terms in the Rajya Sabha, maintaining a consistent focus on India’s national security and sovereignty.
Chinoy especially emphasized Vajpayee’s diplomatic skills in taking forward India’s relations with China and Pakistan.
Chinoy said, “As both foreign minister and prime minister, he set high standards – from his restraint during the Lahore bus trip and the Kargil conflict to the historic border talks with China that led to the recognition of Sikkim as part of India.”
He also highlighted Vajpayee’s important role in shaping the post-Cold War strategic partnership between India and the United States.
Discussing Vajpayee’s foreign policy legacy, Chinoy described the years 2000–2005 as a “golden phase” in India-China trade and economic relations.
“During this period, major Indian IT and pharmaceutical companies invested in China and during his visit to Shanghai in 2003, Vajpayee called for a strategic alliance between Indian and Chinese technology companies,” he said.
Keynote speaker Sujan Rameshchandra Chinoy is an experienced diplomat who has represented India in key positions in East Asia and the Middle East.
Known for his expertise in international relations and strategic affairs, he has made significant contributions in furthering India’s foreign policy objectives.
Currently serving as the Director General of MP-IDSA, one of India’s leading think tanks on defense and strategic studies, Chinoy also leads the Think20 group under India’s G20 chairmanship and has served on several national policy councils.
The second session of the Atal Smrana Lecture Series witnessed enthusiastic participation from officials and staff of the Department of General Administration and SPIPA, representatives of AMA and faculty and students of Defense and Strategic Studies subjects.
–IANS