London and New York: Routledge, 2020. xii, 224 pp. (Tables.) US$155.00, cloth. ISBN 978-0-367-43592-9.
While there can be disagreements on the potential that India carries, it is a major global power and its rise and relevance can hardly be ignored. In a world where power politics continues to rule the roost, India’s security strategy did indeed change its purpose over time. Gautam Sen’s book, The Purpose of India’s Security Strategy, provides an excellent overview of the journey of India since independence where it moved from being defensive to exhibiting increased global involvement.
The first part of book locates the shift from defence to deterrence, and examines the developments in defence strategy from 1947–1979. Within this time period, India exhibited inherent passivity especially from 1947–1961 owing to the legacy of British defence policy and the focus on economic development. While India was grappling with its new found independence, the context of the Cold War and the wounds of partition served as major factors in shaping a narrative where the militarized world order was not yielding any tangible benefit for the country. The phase from 1962–1971 is interestingly labeled by the author as “offensive passive posture” where the aim was to preserve national integrity. Chinese aggression, the war with Pakistan, the changing relationship with the Soviet Union, as well as changes in the domestic political equation, led to this posture. Specific to the case of Chinese aggression, Indian defence posture continued to remain passive. However, India did embark on a path of military modernization and qualitative improvement in defence capability. Sen presents staggering numbers to indicate the quantitative increase where the military expanded two to three times its size during this first phase (1947–1962).
The Indian case is peculiar owing to its commitment to non-alignment while simultaneously seeking strategic partnerships. India’s relation with the Soviet Union during the 1960s and 1970s was testimony to this. The 1971 crisis of East Pakistan eventually caused India to depart from its defensive posture to a more offensive display of prowess. The international balance of power— owing to possible alliances in light of a probable India-Pakistan war—further necessitated Soviet military support. The Indo-U.S. treaty created a situation where China was no longer eager to help Pakistan. India’s shift from passive defence to offensive defence was driven by regional unrest that fueled international tension. Despite a clear reliance on Soviet machinery, the author claims that India’s defence production remained focused on maximizing self-reliance and reducing the drain of foreign exchange.
Sen further provides an excellent and informative review of India’s defence production, nuclear program, and space program. Through the use of descriptive tables, he asserts that India progressively moved towards indigenous production along with some degree of foreign assistance. Tables and the data in the book indicate the multifaceted growth that continued into the 1960s and 1970s. The third phase, indicative of the country’s deterrence posture, begins after 1971. The increased defence spending and India’s quest for nuclear deterrence was again driven by regional and international factors. The changed strategic environment manifested itself in the form of emerging Sino-American ties, regime changes in Iran and Afghanistan, and politico-economic ties with the Middle East. There was change in the domestic political landscape as well. With the change in political leadership, it was evident that reliance on the Soviet Union would be reduced and relations with China would have to be reworked. India’s economy also continued to show gradual improvement, which allowed an increase in the defence budget. The army, the air force, and the navy continued to procure and produce qualitatively as well as quantitatively.
The second part of the book looks at the shift in India’s security strategy and defence policy in light of its increased involvement at the global level. Sen argues that with the victory of Narendra Modi in the 2014 election, India’s strategic vision underwent a change in terms of asserting strategic competition. Specific to China and Pakistan, India’s assertiveness has been conspicuous. A comparison of the military balance between India, China, and Pakistan is provided that shows how India ranks just behind China at number 4, with Pakistan well behind at number 17, among 106 nations. This superiority combined with continued improvement in production, procurement, and innovation posits India as a major global power. This part further examines India’s role in the India Ocean Region, its Look East policy, and its engagement with smaller powers, specifically in the context of Chinese assertions in the region.
The book does excellent work on identifying the intertwining nature of domestic, regional, and international factors. The author, however, seems to have accorded great power status to India rather sweepingly. For instance, the argument around an Asian balance of power includes India with powers such as the US, China, Japan, and Russia. Despite the assertion of being a world leader (vishwaguru) and the strong leadership of Prime Minister Modi, socio-economic disparities are yet to be seriously addressed. Also, while there has been a marked shift in India’s outlook, there have been elements of clear continuities from the Nehru era. India’s stand on the current Russia-Ukraine crisis is indicative of a policy of pragmatic non-alignment and continued reliance on Russian hardware in the defence sector despite a push for self-reliance. The book further debunks the general claim that India has lacked a defence policy. While the current global context demands greater involvement and consequently accords greater visibility, India has had a national defence policy as part of its security strategy since independence. The purpose of its security strategy, however, has evolved over time. The role of India’s military in the process of nation building has gradually gained acceptance.
This book would be of interest to scholars who seek to address the changing balances of power and situating rising/emerging/great/major powers in the global structure of power. The detailed historical as well as contemporary overview of India’s defence policy will be useful for anyone interested in tracing the genealogy of India’s rise over the last seven decades.
Abhishek Choudhary
University of Delhi, New Delhi