Demography, economy, and technological advancements are crucial for India to exercise its strategic autonomy, said Amb. Manjeev Singh Puri, IFS (Retd.), Former Indian Ambassador to the European Union and Nepal, and Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN. He was delivering the Distinguished Lecture, sponsored by the Public Diplomacy Division, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi.

According to the Ambassador, India’s demography holds immense potential, and by investing in human resource development, the country can secure a prominent position in the international arena. To sustain its strategic autonomy, India must focus on economic growth and technological advancements. He emphasized this point by comparing economic development and growth data from the USA and China with that of India.

The combination of economic progress and technological innovation is essential for maintaining strategic autonomy, particularly in the context of India's Neighbourhood First policy and international relations. Strategic autonomy, he noted, must be preserved even in times of uncertainty and conflict. 

The lecture was followed by an interactive session. Prof. Suresh R., Head of the Department of International Relations, welcomed the gathering, while Prof. K. Jayaprasad, Dean of the School of Global Studies, chaired the function. The Distinguished Lecture was coordinated by Dr. Reinhart Philip, Coordinator, Centre for Defence & Security Studies, Central University of Kerala.