Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha (retd)

Military power forms a very vital component of Comprehensive National Power (CNP). The CNP is a catalyst that accentuates the efficacy, efficiency and effectiveness of statecraft and diplomacy of a nation to sustain a balanced relationship with friends and adversaries. The main ingredients of CNP, i.e., economic growth, human resources development, science and technological base, availability of natural resources, capability in space, IT, cyber and nuclear domains, as well as cultural prowess provide the ‘soft power’ or ‘carrots’ as a leverage to influence the behaviour of friendly nations. However, it is the military power or ‘stick’ which provides the leverage to influence the behaviour of adversaries or unfriendly nations.

The history of the world provides evidence that nations became great powers by achieving mastery in creation, deployment and use of military power to achieve national objectives. Therefore, there is a need to invest adequately in building military power if India wants to play an important role in international arena, as also deter a conflict with adversaries.

Military capability should be commensurate with national objectives and aspirations, threat perception and its mitigation and budgetary support, which in turn is a function of economic development. India desires and has worked for peace, tranquility and harmony in the world, especially in the region for sustained economic growth. Its good neighbourly policies are enshrined in the charters of the United Nations, Non-Aligned Movement and the Panchsheel Declaration in which India’s contribution has been significant.

India has no territorial ambitions and despite it good neighbourly policies, it has been drawn into several major conflicts since its Independence. The legacy of foreign rule stares at India with unsettled borders in terms of Line of Control (LC) and Line of Actual Control (LAC), incursions and stand-offs with two nuclear-armed neighbours. To deter a conflict there is hardly any option but to build adequate offensive military capabilities. The ability of the military to inflict severe punishment, if forced into a conflict is the key to deterrence. India should never be seen or perceived as a soft or weak state since it would encourage the bullies and invite trouble.

Geo-Political and Security Environment

The recent developments in geo-politics and security environment have resulted in the shift of the world’s strategic centre of gravity to Indo-Pacific/ Asia. The major hub of economic activities of the world has also shifted to Asia. Instability and conflicts are raging in Asia, like Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and the Middle-East. These conflicts in the neighbourhood have a huge bearing on India’s security. The rise of fundamentalist forces, support of Pakistan to terrorist elements against India, the assertiveness of China in the region and Doklam-type of military stand-off have accentuated the security concerns for India.

Our western neighbour is the fountainhead of terror. Its army wields the real power, controls its external and nuclear policy and is obsessed with India as an existential threat. Its duplicitous behaviour is stark and audacious. It joined the Global War on Terror (GWOT) while using terror as a state policy. It is running with the hares and hunting with the hounds and yet it receives substantial support from some of the powerful nations.

In the 21st Century, the Asian nations would play a dominant role in world affairs. The rise of China has been phenomenal with sustained economic growth over two decades. It is an economic power dominating the world trade & commerce. It has not only made huge strides in creation of infrastructure within China but also across Asia and Africa. This effort has increased its strategic footprint and assertiveness in world affairs. Now, it is building its indigenous military power to buttress its claim to superpower status. The entire world hoped for peaceful rise of China, as a benevolen