Ex Kootneeti 2023
Ex KOOTNEETI, an annual exercise designed by the USI for the Higher Command Course at Army War College, Mhow, was conducted from 15 Nov to 17 Nov 2023. As different from the earlier practice of it being a Net Assessment Exercise, this year it was changed and upgraded to a scenario-based Strategic Gaming Exercise to make it more relevant to national security perspective.
Two likely scenarios viz. ‘Escalation of tensions at the border’ and Taiwan contingencies by 2027 and its bearing on India’s national security analysed:-
- Global power play between the two contending giants i.e. the US and China (with their respective allies / partners), and its impact on global
geo-politics. - Predicaments of and options for the emerging Middle Powers and their Groupings (to include their strategic options and policy dilemmas).
- The Stance, Stand and Response of various countries during the two Scenarios, to get clarity on the challenges which India faces / may face.
- And the following specifics with regards to India:-
- Differentiate between ‘Big Power Interests’ and ‘Own National Interests’.
- Need and dynamics of ‘External Balancing’ (Strategic Management), to retain strategic autonomy.
- Assess the nuances of ‘Hybrid Threats’.
- Assess the Military Technology Gap, and feasibility under Atma Nirbharta Initiative.
- Assess implications for India in the event of military confrontation in Taiwan.
- Deduce contours for NSS (National Security Strategy), MSS (Military Security Strategy), and requirement of structures and systems to improve upon the ‘Response Mechanism’ (needed to energise the ‘Whole of Govt Approach’).
An experienced Team of Mentors consisting of five Ambassadors and senior officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force guided the course members through the invigorating sessions to evoke responses and address all possible queries and aspects regards geo-strategic developments and national security.
The exercise has been well received by the Faculty and Course Members of the Higher Command Course, and evoked a matching excitement amongst the Mentors to follow up with a more exhaustive and challenging settings next time.
Strategic Gaming Exercise – Ex Koot Neeti (AWC HCC-51) 2022
Exercise Koot Neeti was conducted for students of Higher Command Course - 51 (HCC-51) as a Strategic Gaming Ex (SGE) at Army War College Mhow from 21-23 Jul 2022 on the topic “India- A Net Security Provider”. The USI Team led by Maj Gen BK Sharma, AVSM, SM & Bar (Retd), Director USI conducted the SGE. Penelists consisted of veteran officers from the Army, navy, Air Force, retired diplomat The sub theme for the Exercise were as under :-
- Evolving Geo-political Scenario and Emerging Global Order.
- Implications of Geo-political Realignments on Indo-Pacific Region.
- Manifestation of Pak-China Collusivity in Grey Zone Environment
- Specific Areas for Capability Enhancement and Modernisation of India’s Military Response.
The participants were divided into various syndicates and were mentored by the following:-
- Maj Gen BK Sharma, AVSM, SM & Bar (Retd), Director USI
- Amb Gautam Bambawale, IFS (Retd)
- Amb Navtej Sarna, IFS (Retd)
- Vice Adm Satish Soni, PVSM, AVSM, NM (Retd)
- Amb Sanjay Singh, IFS (Retd)
- Maj Gen RPS Bhadauria, VSM (Retd), Head CS3 (USI)
- Amb Anil Wadhwa, IFS (Retd)
- Lt Gen Arun Kumar Sahni, PVSM, UYSM, SM, VSM (Retd)
- Vice Adm AK Chawla, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, NM (Retd)
- Maj Gen RS Yadav, VSM (Retd)
