Shangri La dialogue: Govt to present Indian view on defence policy

New Delhi, May 28 (UNI) The government is likely to present the Indian perspective on defence policy making in the midst of geopolitical flux before the international community at the Shangri La Dialogue to be held at Singapore later this week.

Minister of state for Defence Dr MM Pallam Raju will attend the dialogue at the 7th International Institute for Strategic Studies Asia Security Summit, beginning May 30.

The Shangri La Dialogue is the only forum in the Asia Pacific region for discussing defence and security issues. The minister is scheduled to address the third Plenary Session ''Making Defence Policy in Uncertain Times''. He is expected to provide an Indian perspective on defence policy making in the midst of geopolitical flux.

The Minister will also hold bilateral meetings with Defence Ministers/Heads of Delegations/Chiefs of Defence Forces of UK, France, Mongolia and Sri Lanka, the Defence Ministry said today.

The dialogue has been recognised as a key event for defence and security diplomacy for the region. Since its inaugural meeting in 2002, the dialogue has become a recognised part of the architecture of Asian defence diplomacy and is seen as the Asia-Pacific region's premier and most inclusive security institution.

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