India’s Strategic Culture

Strategic Culture of India and Pakistan and its implications for Strategic Stability

“…India's maritime policy, which highlights the need to protect maritime interests, maintain essential sea lines of communication, and confront non-traditional security concerns, including piracy and maritime terrorism, shapes India's strategic culture as a critical player in the Indian Ocean area. India's strategic culture is constantly changing to reflect the possibilities and difficulties posed by the current state of the world (Paranjpe, 2020). The country's growing international influence influences the shape and course of this evolution, its complex interactions with major world powers like the US, Russia, and China, its participation in regional organizations like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and its views on international issues like terrorism and climate change.…”

“…India and Pakistan's distinct historical experiences, political environments, and national identities have all contributed significantly to the development of respective strategic cultures, which in turn have a substantial impact on the strategic stability of the South Asia area. India has embraced a defensive and status-quo-focused strategic culture despite having a rich historical history, diversified culture, democratic ethos, and a prominent position worldwide (Paranjpe, 2020). In contrast, Pakistan's strategic culture tends to be more revisionist and security-focused due to its rivalry with India, internal tensions, and search for strategic depth (Khan, 2005).…”