The Forum for Global Studies, New Delhi, and a multidisciplinary global think tank organized a podcast session with a special guest, Dr. Kirill Sablin, on the theme, ‘Energy Security and Climate Change in an Evolving Green Economy’, held on 14th of November 2021. The programme started with the welcome speech delivered by Mr Don Mclain Gill, Director, Research at Forum for Global Studies and Fellow at the International Development and Security Cooperation, Philippines. He extended a warm welcome to the distinguished guest, Dr. Kirill Sablin, Associate Professor at Department of Economics and Public Administration, Kemerovo State University, Russia. Mr Gill also extended warm welcome to Mr. Pravin Maurya, Executive Director at the Forum for Global Studies.
The interesting session began by having a discussion on how and why should environment security fit in national strategic roles in this evolving time. Dr. Sablin explained that there are possible connections between energy security and the state. In the global landscape, there is differentiation of government structures and their behaviours towards the issue of environment and energy security. He highlighted that environment security is only one side of the coin, while on the other side are the interests of the state. On the topic of natural gas, Dr. Sablin pointed that natural gas is a rich fuel and interaction between different countries on the same is crucial. He noted the capabilities of the state in order to overcome the dependency on coal.
Furthermore, the discussion focused on the shifts of renewable energy and economic and security vulnerabilities they pose. According to Dr. Sablin, green economy and renewable energy is a myth, and there is no alternative to natural gas or coal. Nonetheless, he states that clash of political groups is ongoing, especially in Russia. He highlights the importance of natural gas as a source of public funding and as an instrumental political influence. The last part of discussion engages in the significant role of energy and climate change in the contemporary times. It focused on the possible barriers for state to take collective action in the same regard. As for political and economic approach, it is for the public good. However, the largest barrier as stated by Dr. Sablin remains is of different interests of different states to protect our environment, air, and water. The programme was moderated by Mr Don Mclain Gill, who highlighted the role of energy security and its challenges complimenting the view of Dr. Kirill Sablin. Mr. Pravin Maurya thanked Dr. Kirill Sablin for the beautiful insights and for gracing FGS with his presence for the interview.
Taking note of Indian politics, he described the shifts in Indian politics from one-family rule to para democracy now. He explained that in the region, India holds a sharp Look-East Policy and maintains healthy relationship with ASEAN countries for economic engagement. He highlighted how ASEAN is transforming and working actively to redefine post-cold war alignments in the region. Further, he elucidated on the significance of ASEAN and one of the advantages to the Indian nation was that it shares land borders with ASEAN countries. He also mentioned India as an attractive nation for countries such as Vietnam and Laos as they can rely on India for technology and trade. As he further explains, India in this manner is able to solidify its North-east relations and put emphasis that ASEAN may look new but is deeply rooted in civilisation traditions. However, he notes that the rise of Indo-Pacific region will continue to face the tension to tackle the unprecedented rise of China. Furthermore, he underlined India’s vision for the region laid out by Prime Minister Modi at the Shangri-La Dialogue in June 2018 in Singapore. Firstly, India do not wish to see the region militarised. Secondly, India wishes Indo-Pacific to be inclusive and bring Russia and China to the narrative. He also highlighted the shifts from SAARC to BIMSTEC, making India dominant in Bay of Bengal and India able to push on its own terms and consolidating the region. He further talks about aim and vision of India in the region that includes wealth creation, welfare promotion, and promoting cooperating win-win strategies. In the end, the lecture also provided some insight on other international summits such as QUAD, 5 EYES, and AUKUS. According to Prof. Swaran Singh these other international forums do not limit India instead India sees them as complimentary. He also indicates that countries in South Asia experience small state syndrome but civilisation wise we are all one-people. The programme was moderated by Mr Don Mclain Gill, who highlighted the role of India’s foreign policy in the region and its challenges complimenting the view of Prof. Swaran Singh. Dr Sandeep thanked Prof. Swaran Singh for the beautiful insights and for gracing FGS with his presence for the lecture series.