A
Revolution in the Indian Mindset?
Capt.(r)
Bharat Verma
The
annual conclave of Army Commanders slated for end-October at
Delhi will adopt a new war-fighting doctrine called “Cold
Start”. It calls for the rapid deployment of Integrated
Battle Groups to conduct high-intensity offensive
operations. Entirely dependent on the Revolution in Military
Affairs (RMA) to achieve limited political objectives
against an adversary, the doctrine fails to answer how the
generals propose to overcome the inherent weakness in our
politico-military decision making apparatus that is riddled with
a defensive and timid mindset. It is incapable of such audacious
employment of military power.
Therefore,
prior to blindly copying the Revolution in Military Affairs
(RMA), currently the buzzword in the West, Indian thinkers need
a Revolution in Mindset (RIM). Especially since in
matters of military warfare, our ability remains wedded to Mughal
period. A retired general in a seminar conducted recently by the
Army, concluded
“the next war with Pakistan will be fought on their
territory while with China it will be inside our territory.”
Coming from a veteran, it is a defeatist statement. Should war
be imposed, with a limited land-locked vision, the general lost
it even before the war commenced.
In
war, the collateral damage must always be affected in the
adversary’s territory unless there exists asymmetry in the
military equation. In Afghanistan and Iraq such asymmetry did
exist, as the invading American forces were unstoppable. This
was by virtue of their military equipment that boasts of
unprecedented range, mobility, precision and capability to beat
the enemy defenses to pulp. However, after absorbing the
intrusion, low–tech guerrilla war unleashed as a counter to
the military sophistication enjoyed by the interventionist
force, negated any semblance of victory. Between India and China
no such stark imbalance exists or should be allowed to occur. In
fact if we up the ante by investing into our military power, it
will act as sufficient deterrent to the Chinese. The adversary
will perforce adhere to Panchsheel. On another track, we
should cement simultaneously, mutually beneficial economic
inter-connectivity with China. However our strategic culture
instead of being multi-dimensional and evolutionary with an
outward flow is pinned sadly at low tactical level. Instead of
taking the war to the enemy by opening new fronts for him to
defend, we continue to hunker down and absorb tremors caused by
invasion, praying in earnest that the bad dream should
disappear. Similarly our intelligence agencies with large
capabilities remain adrift and underemployed for want of clearly
defined strategic objectives.
In
1857, though Indian troops were in an adequate ratio of
three-to-one (so vital to win a war) against the British, they
lost as they fought from fixed positions. Instead of hunting the
enemy, we waited for him to attack our positions. Our fortress
mentality is a non-starter for an offensive Cold Start doctrine.
In the War of 1947-48, we should have opened up the Punjab front,
walked in to Pakistan and used the Navy to damage the Karachi
port. In 1962 Sino-Indian conflict, we lost as we refused to
unleash air power. The mental scars of this war are writ large
even today as witnessed in this general’s statement. In fact
General Sam Manekshaw correctly emphasized prior to the 1971 War
to Indira Gandhi “ If your father had had me as his Chief…he
wouldn’t have been shamed in 1962.”
It
was the iron will of Indira Gandhi and the daring integrated
military operations unleashed that combined to slice Pakistan
into two in 1971. A clear synergy between the political and the
military leadership existed. In comparison we reverted to our Mughal
Darbar days in Kargil and during Operation Parakram. With
feeble political leadership, poor generalship and Islamabad’s
bogus but intelligent use of rhetoric about nuking India, New
Delhi once again displayed virtual paralyses. If India on being
hit on one cheek, can only offer the other cheek, than at best
it can hope to be is a small-time surrogate power at beck and
call of others. I am afraid; surrogates do not enjoy the luxury
of such offensive doctrines.
Unless
the politicians and the generals remove this deficient strategic
culture, Army’s Cold Start doctrine will remain frozen.
To begin with let’s shake off this obsession purposely planted
by the foreign analysts that India is a South Asian power,
thereby limiting its role within the region. By its geographical
location, sheer size, large young population, resources and
skill, we impact on East, West and Central Asia. With 7500 miles
of coastal area, forty-two thousand square miles of EEZ, sitting
astride the hottest sea lines of communication in Indian Ocean,
it’s a maritime power of great consequence. In addition it is
a continental power that requires crafting a bold
politico-military doctrine to neutralize consistent threats to
its land frontiers. Therefore we cannot be caged into South Asia
for the convenience of other great powers, as we impact on Asia
main. We are an Asian power that is uniquely placed to lend
stability in the continent. New Delhi must absorb this big
picture before it can even think of implementing the new
doctrine. Therefore to implement such a bold initiative, there
needs to be a Revolution in Indian Mindset before we
attempt Revolution in Military Affairs.
The
author is the editor of the India Defence Review. This write-up
first appeared in the India Defence Review, and has been
reproduced here with the permission of the author.
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