Context: 

Recently, Union External Affairs Minister(EAM) S Jaishankar met with US Secretary of State Blinken on the sidelines of Germany’s 60th Munich Security Conference.

• The Union External Affairs Minister  addressed a panel discussion on ‘Growing the Pie: Seizing Shared Opportunities’.

About the Munich Security Conference 

• It is Often referred to as the ‘Davos of Defence’.
• The Munich Security Conference (MSC) is an annual international forum dedicated to discussing and addressing critical security and foreign policy matters.
• Purpose: It facilitates dialogue and debate among political leaders, policymakers, military officials, experts, and civil society representatives. 
• Evolution of the Conference: 
  • Initially known as the Internationale Wehrkundebegegnung/Munchner Wehrkundetagung,
  • It was founded by a German official and publisher, Ewald-Heinrich von Kleist, at the peak of the Cold War.
  • Originating in 1963, the MSC has emerged as a pivotal event in international security. 
  • The Conference was Held in Munich, Germany.

Significance of Munich Security Conference

• Expansion of Participation: Over the years, the MSC has broadened its participant base, welcoming influential players from rising powers such as China, Brazil, and India. 
• Adaptation to Global Dynamics: In response to shifting geopolitical landscapes, the MSC has diversified its discussions, incorporating topics like the Problem in West Asia, Arab uprisings, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and the Ukraine War. 

News Source: IE