Seventh Edition of ‘Dilli Series’ Seapower Webinar Concludes at Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala

Seventh Edition of ‘Dilli Series’ Seapower  Webinar Concludes at Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala

The seventh edition of the Dilli Series Sea power Webinar on ‘Military Use of Sea Power’ concluded today, Saturday, 17 October 2020 at the Indian Naval Academy (INA). Eight papers were presented during the seminar centered on the theme. Day two commenced with an Invitational Talk by Lt Cdr Desmond Woods from Australian Naval Institute on ‘War at Sea in the Pacific, Indian & South Atlantic Oceans- 1914’.The event was attended by several serving and retired senior Naval Officers, eminent academicians, representatives of think tanks and distinguished luminaries.

The seminar proceedings on day two, chaired by Vice Admiral Pradeep Chauhan, AVSM & Bar, VSM (Retd) were centered on the Contemporary Relevance of Sea Power. The day witnessed insightful presentations on the topics like ‘The Evolving Maritime Security Environment in the Indo-Pacific and its Implications for India’ by Commodore Ashok Rai, ‘The Primacy of Sea Power in managing China’s Push for Hegemony in the Indo-Pacific Region’ by Shri Nitin Pai (Co- founder and Director of Takshashila Institution) & Mr Suyash Desai, ‘Up the Bosphorus: Lessons from the Goeben’s Escape in Aug 1914. How did an unfought battle become one of the most decisive of the First World War?’ by Rear Admiral SY Shrikhande, AVSM (Retd), and ‘Indian Navy’s Sea Power Journey – Context and Content’ by Commodore SB Kesnur.

Rear Admiral Tarun Sobti, VSM, Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor, INA delivered the Closing Address and appreciated the participation of paper presenters, chairpersons and delegates for the intellectually enriching experience provided to the audience, especially cadets at INA, through the high-quality deliberations. Commodore Ben H Berson, HoF (Basic Science and Humanities) & Overall Co-Ordinator of ‘Dilli Series’ Sea Power Webinar 2020 delivered the Vote of Thanks.

The Indian Naval Academy christened the Annual Seminar as the ‘Dilli Series’ after Mount Dilli located at Ezhimala, which has been witness to the developments of the maritime history of the region. The seminar’s new avatar as a Webinar due to ongoing COVID pandemic has been an enriching experience and the ‘Dilli’ Series hopes to stimulate the curiosity of young officers and cadets about developments in the maritime domain whilst simultaneously laying a strong foundation of history.