Introduction
A National Security Doctrine represents the fundamental principles and beliefs that guide a nation's approach to security and defence. It serves as a strategic framework that outlines a country's core interests, values, and intentions in the realm of national security. Unlike a national security strategy, which focuses on specific means and methods, a doctrine provides broader guidelines that inform decision-making and shape the overall security posture of a nation.[1] Throughout history, nations have articulated their doctrines through various means, such as policy statements, white papers, and declarations. These documents communicate a nation's stance on key security issues, reassure its citizens, and signal its intentions to adversaries. One of the most well-known examples is the Monroe Doctrine, proclaimed by the United States in 1823, which asserted America's opposition to European colonisation in the Americas.[2]
In the contemporary context, a well-defined National Security Doctrine is crucial for navigating the complex and evolving global security landscape. It provides clarity and coherence to a nation's security posture, enabling effective responses to traditional military threats and non-traditional security concerns such as cyber warfare, terrorism, and climate change.[3] Moreover, a doctrine serves as a unifying force within a nation, aligning various stakeholders toward a common purpose and fostering coordination in the formulation and implementation of security policies. By articulating fundamental principles and beliefs, a doctrine provides a strategic framework for decision-making, communication, and unity in the pursuit of national security objectives.
Lessons From History: The Evolution of Strategic Thought
The evolution of strategic thought spans millennia, reflecting the dynamic interplay of historical, technological, and ideological forces. From the ancient strategies of Sun Tzu and Kautilya to the modern doctrines of nuclear deterrence and hybrid warfare, the trajectory of strategic thinking has been shaped by diverse civilisations and geopolitical realities. The works of these ancient strategists, such as Sun Tzu's ‘The Art of War’ and Kautilya's ‘Arthashastra’ continue to influence contemporary strategic discourse.[4]
Medieval notions of chivalry gave way to Machiavellian pragmatism, while the twentieth century witnessed the dawn of total war and nuclear brinkmanship. The writings of theorists such as Machiavelli, Clausewitz, and Hobbes laid the groundwork for modern strategic theory, emphasising the interplay of politics and warfare in pursuing national interests.[5] Each era has left its imprint on the strategic landscape, offering valuable lessons for navigating the complexities of contemporary security challenges.
In the twenty-first century, the strategic environment continues to evolve at a rapid pace, characterised by asymmetric threats, cyber warfare, and geopolitical rivalries. The lessons of history provide a foundation for understanding the intricacies of modern conflicts and shaping effective responses to emerging challenges. By drawing upon the insights gleaned from centuries of strategic thought, policymakers can craft resilient National Security Doctrine that safeguard the interests of their nations in an increasingly uncertain world.[6]
India’s Implicit Doctrine: Unveiling Strategic Plans
India's strategic posture and doctrinal inclinations have evolved over time, shaped by its historical experiences, geopolitical imperatives, and regional security dynamics. Despite the absence of a formally articulated National Security Doctrine, discernible trends emerge from India's strategic behaviour and policy decisions.[7] From its foundational principles of non-alignment and strategic autonomy to its contemporary focus on deterrence and regional stability, India's implicit doctrine reflects a nuanced approach to safeguarding its national interests while navigating complex geopolitical challenges.[8]
Historically, India's strategic thought has been influenced by its colonial past, post-independence aspirations, and regional security concerns. The principles of non-alignment, enshrined by India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, emphasised independence from the Cold War power blocs and a commitment to global peace and cooperation.[9] This legacy of non-alignment continues to inform India's foreign policy, characterised by strategic autonomy, multilateral engagement, and a preference for diplomatic solutions to regional conflicts.
In the contemporary strategic landscape, India faces a myriad of challenges ranging from traditional security threats to non-traditional security concerns such as terrorism, cyber warfare, and maritime security. Against this backdrop, India's implicit doctrine emphasizes a balanced approach encompassing both defensive and proactive measures to safeguard its national security interests. The nuclear tests of 1998 marked a significant milestone in India's strategic trajectory, signalling its emergence as a nuclear-armed state and underscoring its commitment to credible deterrence while advocating for global nuclear disarmament.[10] The ‘Cold Start’ doctrine, aimed at enhancing conventional deterrence vis-à-vis Pakistan, and the development of blue-water naval capabilities signify India's strategic resolve to protect its interests in the face of evolving security challenges.[11] Additionally, India's deepening strategic partnerships, particularly with like-minded democracies such as the United States and Japan, underscore its commitment to fostering regional stability and countering common security threats. Grounded in the principles of strategic autonomy, deterrence, and regional stability, India's implicit doctrine reflects its evolving role as a responsible regional actor and a key player in shaping the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific region.
Challenges in Doctrine Articulation and Implementation
India faces significant challenges in articulating and implementing a National Security Doctrine, despite the imperative for a clear and coherent framework. One of the primary hurdles lies in reconciling India's diverse political, societal, and governmental structures to formulate a unified strategic vision. Achieving consensus on strategic priorities and policy imperatives is challenging due to the multitude of stakeholders operating within a complex bureaucracy. India's historical legacy and institutional inertia also impede the formulation of proactive and forward-looking strategic doctrines. The vestiges of non-alignment and strategic restraint, inherited from the Nehruvian era, continue to influence India's strategic calculus, constraining its ability to adapt to rapidly evolving security challenges.[12] Furthermore, the lack of transparency and public discourse surrounding strategic matters exacerbates the disconnect between policymakers, defence planners, and the broader public, hindering the development of a cohesive and inclusive strategic narrative. India's complex security environment, characterised by a diverse array of threats ranging from conventional conflicts to asymmetric warfare and terrorism, poses unique challenges to doctrine articulation and implementation.[13]
The spectre of nuclear proliferation and regional instability further complicates India's strategic calculus, necessitating a nuanced and adaptive approach to national security.[14] Additionally, India's evolving strategic partnerships and regional dynamics add another layer of complexity to the formulation of a comprehensive doctrine that addresses both traditional and non-traditional security challenges. In conclusion, while the need for a formal National Security Doctrine is widely recognised, India must contend with a myriad of challenges in both articulating and implementing such a framework.[15]
Urgency of Formalising India’s National Security Doctrine
India's National Security Doctrine is crucial for addressing the complexities of modern security challenges and providing a coherent framework for strategic decision-making. The absence of a formal doctrine hampers India's ability to effectively respond to evolving threats and undermines its credibility as a responsible regional actor.[16] A formal doctrine would provide a guiding framework for aligning diverse governmental agencies, military branches, and strategic stakeholders towards common national security objectives, enhancing strategic clarity and coherence within the policymaking apparatus.
Formalising India's National Security Doctrine is essential to bolstering deterrence capabilities and signalling India's resolve to defend its national interests against external aggression. Moreover, formalising India's National Security Doctrine is crucial for enhancing transparency and accountability in strategic decision-making processes. By publicly articulating its strategic priorities and doctrinal principles, India can foster greater trust and confidence among its citizens, strategic partners, and the international community.[17]
CONCLUSION
The imperative to fortify India's borders and ensure national security is more pressing than ever. The absence of a comprehensive National Security Doctrine has led to a lack of clarity and coherence in India's strategic thinking, hindering its ability to effectively respond to evolving security challenges. The need for a National Security Doctrine is underscored by the diverse and ever-evolving nature of national security threats, including cyberattacks, crypto-terrorism, and porous international borders.[18] The doctrine must be comprehensive, taking into account both traditional and non-traditional security threats, and must be guided by a clear understanding of what a doctrine should be.
The British and American understandings of doctrine highlight the importance of a set of beliefs, customs, traditions and concepts, as well as the inclusion of some ingredients of strategy, ways and means. The doctrine must also recognize the critical component of economics in national security, as economic development is paramount, and security is essential for protecting economic gains.
The problem, therefore, is not one of a lack of thinking or feedback on the subject, but rather one of absorbing, disseminating and operationalising a doctrine. In conclusion, the imperative of fortifying India's borders and ensuring national security cannot be ignored. The need for a comprehensive National Security Doctrine is clear, and it must be guided by a clear understanding of what a doctrine should be.
Endnotes
[1] Iyer-Mitra, Abhijit, “National Security: The Need for a Doctrine.” ORF, 4 Dec 2023.
https://www.orfonline.org/research/national-security-the-need-for-a-doctrine.
[2] “Monroe Doctrine (1823)”, National Archives and Records Administration, 2 Jun 2024.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Singh, Col Harjeet, “Evolution of strategic culture based on Sun Tzu and Kautilya”, Accessed 2 Jun 2024.
[5] Miyata, Francis, “The grand strategy of Carl von Clausewitz - War Room - U.S. Army war college”, Accessed 2 Jun 2024. https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/articles/grand-strategy-clausewitz/.
[6] Patil, Sameer, Edited by Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan, “Future warfare and critical technologies: Evolving tactics ...”, Accessed 2 Jun 2024. https://www.orfonline.org/public/uploads/posts/pdf/20240212113627.pdf.
[7] Hilali, A.Z, “India’s strategic thinking and its national ...”, Accessed 2 Jun 2024. https://library.fes.de/libalt/journals/swetsfulltext/14218805.PDF.
[8] J. Tellis, Ashley, “Non-Allied Forever: India’s Grand Strategy According to Subrahmanyam Jaishankar”, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Accessed 2 Jun 2024. https://carnegieendowment.org/posts/2021/03/non-allied-forever-indias-grand-strategy-according-to-subrahmanyam-jaishankar?lang=en.
[9] Ibid.
[10] K, Ankit, and Kartik Bommakanti, “50 Years of Pokhran I: Revisiting India’s Peaceful Nuclear Explosion”, ORF, 30 May 2024.
[11] Dalton Toby, George Perkovich, “India’s nuclear options and escalation dominance”, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Accessed 2 Jun 2024. https://carnegieendowment.org/2016/05/19/india-s-nuclear-options-and-escalation-dominance-pub-63609.
[12] Das, Pushan, “Re-Examining India’s Nuclear Doctrine”, ORF, 4 Dec 2023. https://www.orfonline.org/research/re-examining-india-s-nuclear-doctrine.
[13] Ibid.
[14] Goutham, Shreyas, “Regional Tensions and Nuclear Deterrence: India’s Strategic Calculus”, Samvada World, 22 Jun 2024. https://samvadaworld.com/world/asia/regional-tensions-and-nuclear-deterrence-indias-strategic-calculus/.
[15] Ibid.
[16] Kanwal, Gurmeet, “India’s National Security Strategy in a Nuclear Environment”, Journal of the IDSA, Dec 2000 (Vol. XXIV No. 9), Accessed 2 Jun 2024. https://ciaotest.cc.columbia.edu/olj/sa/sa_dec00kag01.html.
[17] Ibid.
[18] Singh (Retd), Lt General Harinder, “STRATEGISING INDIA’S LONG-TERM SECURITY”, National Maritime Foundation, Accessed 2 Jun 2024. https://maritimeindia.org/strategising-indias-long-term-security/.
Vanshika Sirohi completed her postgraduate studies at the Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA) and served as the Centre Coordinator for the Centre for Security Studies, JSIA. She specialized in Defence and National Security, reflecting her keen interest and expertise in this crucial field. Additionally, she holds an undergraduate degree in Political Science from Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi.
Article uploaded on 18-07-2024
Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the organisation that he/she belongs to or of the USI of India
Author : Vanishka Sirohi
Category : Strategic Perspectives
Pages : 0 | Price : ₹0.00 | Year of Publication : 2024