Pune: The Headquarters Southern Command organised a two-day seminar titled ASCEND 2025 – Aligning Strategic Communication for Enduring Narrative Dominance at RSAMI, Pune, on 10–11 October 2025.
The event marked a pioneering initiative to strengthen India’s approach to Strategic Communication and achieve narrative dominance in the digital information era.
ASCEND 2025: Strengthening India’s Strategic Communication Framework
Conceived as a national platform, ASCEND 2025 brought together senior defence officials, policymakers, veterans, media professionals, academicians, and industry experts to deliberate on Strategic Communication as a core element of national power.
Also Read: Indian Army Terrier Cyber Quest 2025: AIT Pune Quantum ML Team Secures Top Honour
Delivering the keynote address, Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, AVSM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command, emphasised that Strategic Communication is now integral to India’s national security framework.
He stated that India’s narrative should be grounded in truth, aligned with its core values, and supported by decisive action to achieve enduring influence and narrative control.
Fireside Chat and Key Discussions at ASCEND 2025
The Chief Guest, Alok Joshi, Chairman of the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB), participated in a fireside chat with senior journalist and defence strategist Nitin Gokhale, offering insights into India’s evolving information ecosystem.
Joshi highlighted the necessity of a Whole-of-Government approach and a focused roadmap to enhance national Strategic Communication capabilities.
The seminar covered a wide range of critical themes including the institutionalisation of Strategic Communication, countering misinformation and hostile propaganda, and the integration of technology for effective narrative shaping.
Experts agreed that a unified National Strategic Communication Framework is vital to ensure consistency, reach, and impact.
Also Read: Pune to Become Hub for Defence Land Systems Innovation Under Indian Army-MCCIA MoU
ASCEND 2025: Collaboration and Vision for the Future
Organised in partnership with the Pune International Centre (PIC) and the Centre for Advanced Studies in Current & Strategic Affairs (CASA), ASCEND 2025 concluded with a consensus on institutionalising Strategic Communication as a core component of India’s national power.
The seminar aligns with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, showcasing the Indian Army’s commitment to narrative resilience, cognitive preparedness, and synergy across national institutions. ASCEND 2025 thus marks a defining moment in shaping India’s Strategic Communication architecture for the future.
