Force in Statecraft: An Indian Perspective

Since national security impacts every citizen in India, there is a growing need for a more sophisticated, broad-based and nuanced understanding of the instrument of force in statecraft. Largely confined to the strategic elite and practitioners thus far, a wider national security discourse could generate better ideas to proliferate and morph into better policies, strategies and doctrines. This academic endeavour, the first of its kind from India's National Defence College, seeks to tap the vast operational experience of all the contributors and offers a basic understanding of several important cornerstones of force and war fighting; how they can best be employed in current and future scenarios; and how best they can be synergised for effect. It is a go-to book for policy makers, legislators, diplomats, academics, leadership at various levels in the various national security verticals including the military, media and the curious reader even as India grapples with new and emerging security challenges in a volatile global geopolitical landscape. Air Vice Marshal (Dr) Arjun Subramaniam is the President's Chair of Excellence in National Security Affairs at National Defence College, New Delhi. A retired fighter pilot, military historian and strategic commentator, he is the author of five books, including India's Wars: A Military History: 1947-1971 and its newly-released sequel in two versions titled Full Spectrum: India's Wars 1972-2020 and A Military History of India Since 1972. Air Marshal Diptendu Choudhury is the Commandant of the National Defence College, New Delhi, and an alumnus of the Royal College of Defence Studies, UK. A highly experienced and accomplished fighter pilot with vast experience in Air Power at strategic, operational and tactical levels. He is a prolific writer on air power strategy and international security having published chapters in edited volumes and articles in several professional and academic journals.