Defence through offence

Our history argues against it because the defensive-defence mode erroneously allows the enemy to retain the element of surprise. It is akin to the adversary perpetually dominating our half of the soccer field: goals will, obviously, be scored as they were in Kargil. With large borders located inhostile terrain, this politico-military doctrine expects the impossible to guard physically every square inch of the territory. Another negative dimension is the internal consumption of enormous military power due to external interference. Kargil is a prime example.

India needs to look at this unique position of asymmetry in thinking vis-a-vis the rest of the world. More so, as weapons and forces by themselves do not constitute a source of security or a threat but the ideas and attitude governing their use and usability do.

Therefore, in order to safeguard national interests, the political lea-dership must shift to the strategic doctrine of offensive-defence. This will ensure defence of national interests along with territorial integrity. It is an assertive not aggressive territory-plus philosophy which, if used wisely, can deal effectively with forces inimical to India. Our vital national interests stand threatened by any activity of a potential adversary which tends to vitiate the peace, harmony,prosperity and progress of India. In the offensive-defence mode, a correct appreciation of the situation and counter-action to neutralise the developing threat are mandatory.The bitter truth about the Partition of India out of fundamentalist hatred, the agonies of the India-bound migrants of the time, and the misadventure in Kashmir in 1947-48 reveal the first signs of Pakistani design to disturb our tranquillity. Opera-tion Gibraltar in 1965, the war in 1971 and the low-intensity conflict since 1989 and other terrorist activities to date point in one single direction unbalance India through all means.Animosity towards India is not only indicated in the barbaric murder and mutilation of our soldiers8217; bodies but during cricket matches too. The bonhomie displayed in people-to-pe-ople contacts is merely an eyewash. This is the big picture, which in the last 50 years our political class has refused to co-me to grip with. The resultant mischief by Pa-kistan has compelled us to shell out billions to defendourselves.

Under the offensive-defence doctrine, the bottomline assessment is that a stable Pakistan is not in our national interest. A counter-strategy to degrade Pakis-tan8217;s capability to pose a threat in future needs to be worked upon. Strategic calculations should be based primarily on two aspects. First, much need not be read into the international diplomatic support. Whether it is America or China, their stance will always be rooted in geopolitics and geoeconomic compulsions and not in morality or emotions. Similarly, India should deal with the issue with coldblooded ruthlessness. The international weight behind India is useful only up to a point. Especially as we have to win our own wars. Our counter-strategy must be a pragmatic study of the prevalent conditions in Pakistan.

Without a national identity, Pakistan is an incomplete and, therefore, an insecure state. Seeds of instability were sown by the Punjabi Mussalman who dominates all structures of power. Claims laid to equality in power-sharingby the Sindhis, Pa-thans and Baluchis were ignored and are subject of widespread dissent. The Moh-ajirs who leveraged the partition of India were treated as second-class citizens. They not only demand recognition as the fifth nationality but want to carve a new pro-vince out of Sindh for themselves. The Islamic fundamentalists enjoy minimal popular support but use Islam as an instrument to control power in Pakistan. This has unleashed sectarian violence due to conflicting interpretations of Muslim law and doctrine between Sunnis and Shias. The Taliban8217;s radical Islam further adds shattering tremors to this fragile construct. The economic scenario is bleak with an adverse balance-of-payments position. Pakistan is a nest of Islamic fundamentalist bodies which exports terrorism to the West, besides India.To counter Pakistan, an assertive diplomacy based on gaining friends and allies through mutually beneficial activity in the realm of geopolitics and geoeconomics should be the cornerstone of our foreign policy.In a role reversal, India should dictate the agenda, and turn the heat on Pakistan. It is in our national interest to keep Pakistan off-balance till it sues for peace. Coherent accretion of military po-wer with lethal offensive capability, which, if unleashed can create terror in the mind of the enemy is a paramount requirement. The awe of military power is a deterrent which prevents outbreak of a war. It is time for India to abandon its ostrich-like position and shift to an assertive posture.

The writer is the editor of Indian Defence Review