Role of Internal Security of India in Shaping Its Strategic Culture: Policy Options for Pakistan

Abstract

The concept of strategic culture has a relative interpretation in strategic and academic community. Indian strategic culture in general and its interplay with internal security in particular is a less worked out area of research. This paper explains how internal security challenges of India are shaping its strategic culture towards Pakistan. It includes contextualizing the concept of strategic culture, modelling the Indian strategic culture with respect to scope of research, determining the interplay of strategic culture and internal security of India and identifying its impact on Pakistan. Finally, the paper proposes policy options and action points for Pakistan. The paper establishes three fundamental aspects. First, the Indian strategic thoughts by and large, stems from Kautilya's thoughts. Second, the grand strategic thinking of India has a consistent element of linking insurgences with Pakistan. Third, with the rise of Hindutva through BJP and India favouring geostrategic environment, India has resorted to offensive – defensive strategy towards Pakistan. In light of these three aspects, the paper finally presents policy options for Pakistan while taking into account its national interests.