In a significant step towards strengthening defence ties, the College of Defence Management (CDM) under India’s Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) conducted an online academic discourse with the Academy of the Armed Forces of Uzbekistan. The event, held under the framework of the Defence Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Uzbekistan, focused on the theme “Envisioning Military Conflicts of the Future.”
The discussions delved into the evolving nature of warfare, with a particular emphasis on the roles of artificial intelligence (AI), hybrid threats, and strategic ambiguity. These elements are increasingly reshaping the character of modern conflicts, posing new challenges for military forces worldwide. Participants from both nations engaged in a robust exchange of ideas, exploring plausible solutions to address the complexities of future wars.
The virtual session featured senior military officers from both sides, seated in formal conference settings adorned with national flags and military insignia. The Indian delegation was represented by officers from various branches of the armed forces, while their Uzbek counterparts brought insights from their own strategic perspectives. The event underscored the growing importance of military diplomacy in tackling shared security concerns.
This collaboration builds on a history of defence cooperation between the two nations, which was further solidified by the signing of three MoUs in 2019 during a visit by India’s then Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Tashkent. Those agreements focused on military medicine and education, laying the groundwork for initiatives like this academic exchange. The CDM, established in 1970 in Secunderabad, is a premier institution for training Indian defence officers in modern management practices, while Uzbekistan’s Academy of the Armed Forces is a key center for military education in Central Asia.
The discourse highlighted the global relevance of the topics discussed. Hybrid threats, which combine conventional and irregular tactics, have become a focal point for militaries worldwide, with organizations like NATO increasingly prioritizing strategies to counter them. Similarly, the integration of AI in warfare and the challenges posed by strategic ambiguity—where intentions and actions of adversaries remain unclear—are critical areas of concern for modern defence forces.
The event concluded with both sides expressing optimism about continued collaboration, emphasizing the importance of such interactions in fostering mutual understanding and preparing for the challenges of future conflicts. This initiative reflects the deepening friendship between India and Uzbekistan, as both nations work together to navigate the complexities of 21st-century warfare.
