Day 2
First Technical Session
Event Report
Technology, Power, and Evolving Global Order
On 2nd September 2022, the Forum for Global Studies, New Delhi, a multidisciplinary global think tank, hosted the first technical session of a three-day international conference on “Technology, Power and the Evolving Global Order”. The theme of the session was “Technology and Global Society”. Dr. Amna Mirza was the chairperson of the session with Mr. Aleandre Kelsick as co-chairperson. Tanya Chaudhary, Nitin Rakesh, Dr. Rahul Mishra, Shubham Rai and Aqsa Khan presented their respective papers in the session. Dr. Amna Mirza and Mr. Aleandre Kelsick shared their valuable insights on the theme and opened the floor for paper presentation.
Ms Tanya Chaudhary started presenting her paper on the topic” Technology and Global Society”. This paper examines the concept of Digital Diplomacy with Soft Power and Public Diplomacy. She described the use of digital technology in diplomacy as a worldwide phenomenon. She engages with the concept of digital diplomacy to explore the participatory digital culture in foreign communication space with a seeming emphasis on soft power. As digital diplomacy exerts a ‘soft’ influence, to bring about a change in perceptions about a given actor, the paper also discusses the diplomatic implications that follow the usage of digital tools in global governance. According to her, the norm of connectivity exerts a mutual influence, where the state, as well as non-state actors, employ digital tools to curate information in ways that aid their strategic goals and other needs. This real-time diplomacy has overshadowed traditional diplomacy, allowing actors to indulge in a cross-cultural exchange of views, incorporating normative and innovative elements to the practice of diplomacy. She explains through the case study of “The Ukraine-Russia Crisis: Cyber Aspects unraveling new issues for Global Governance” and “Black Lives Matter: Tackling the issue of Racism through Digital Diplomacy”. The recent Ukraine crisis made the significance of global internet technology evident where on one side Ukraine was seen using social media platforms like Twitter to give live-time information on the war, and on the other hand requesting cutting off Russia’s access to the same infrastructure, to weaken its global reach. This research is an attempt to initiate further academic evaluation over how the discussed newness in diplomacy is dependent on the application of new communications technologies where digitalization extends a tremendous real-time influence on diplomacy.
Dr. Rahul Mishra presented his paper on the topic,” Societal Relevance of Technology Through Hydrodynamic Conveying of Copper Ore-Water slurry across a Horizontal pipe.” The investigations presented in this paper, primarily computational, pertain to hydrodynamics and erosion of solid liquid systems. The paper deals with a careful investigation on the effect of solids concentration, particle size, size distribution, surface characteristics and drag reducing agent on the apparent viscosity of the suspensions. The paper has attempted to address some characteristics of solid-liquid two-phase flow for hydrodynamic transportation and erosion prediction through pipelines. This paper can be considered as a step forward for better understanding of pressure drop in slurry pipelines in different parts of the world through which minerals and ores are transported through long distances.
Mr. Nitin Rakesh presented his paper on the topic,” Own the Chip and Rule the World: How East Asia Will Use the Semiconductor Intellectualism for Its Geopolitical Digital Hegemony”. The purpose of his paper is to view the significance of the semiconductor industry. He raises the question if the semiconductor industry breaks all the traditional methods of sphere of influence or it will establish a new world order. According to him, with the arrival of new players in the market the US hegemony will be challenged, and a vacuum will be needed to fill a new nation, or the US will manage to remain in position. There is very much potential in this paper as now East Asia will decide who will be the next global hegemony with a new tool to rule the global order. He points out that the dependence on the Taiwan companies like TSMC have developed interest for the United States in the region which has further started the debate between China and the United States. The production of the semiconductors is concentrated in a handful of countries like South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, USA, China.
Mr. Shubham Rai presented his paper on the topic,”Understanding Indian Soft Power in the Gulf”. This paper examines the role of the diaspora in building Indian soft power as a sphere of influence in strengthening its ties with Gulf countries. Also, this research will demonstrate how India can exercise cultural diplomacy and soft power to prevent itself from the unprecedented global crisis. For instance, Gulf countries can play a vital role in meeting India’s enormous energy demands and ensuring energy security. This paper highlights that the term ‘Diaspora’ has gained widespread attention while addressing issues on globalization, migration, soft power, and cultures & identities. The notion of global society is constructed through multiculturalism emphasizing the importance of diaspora in creation of the evolving global order and soft power. Diaspora and global civil society are interconnected because of the involvement of the diasporic community in the political process, and peace building efforts. It is pointed out in the paper that the Indian diaspora, being the largest in the world with over 30 million people, constitutes an integral part of building its soft power and cultural diplomacy. Remittances have become an important aspect of the diaspora as they usually assist in maintaining a balance of trade in their home countries. India is ranked as the highest recipient of remittances from its diaspora all across the globe.
Ms. Aqsa Khan presented her paper on the topic,” Contemporary Warfare and its Impacts on National Security”. This paper will examine how contemporary warfare threats the sovereignty of Nation and we can see that whole Global world has been affected through rapid evaluation of cyberspace and many countries are changing their National Security Policies for eg Indian, Russia, Ukraine etc. The paper also addresses that the national security Policies are concerned with preventing wars through logic of deterrence. Than further it will focus on how Global terrorism is arising and creating a threat to the Global World. The paper highlights that the National Security Policy of the twenty-first century must identify the resources that must be protected as well as the adversaries that want to overwhelm the populace of a target country using unorthodox tactics in order to induce confusion. According to her observations in addition to land, sea, air, and space, the fifth dimension of combat is frequently referred to as cyber. It seems more likely than not that governments will regularly use cyberwarfare as part of their arsenal. She states that A more stable and secure cyber environment is made possible by a clear public position on cyber defense and combat, which also fosters trust among friends and clearly indicates intent to prospective enemies.
With that, Dr. Sandeep Tripathi, President and Founder, Forum for Global Studies, thanked participants for delivering their insights in the first technical session of the conference which is crucial for all stakeholders associated with the field of international relations and global studies.