India’s new Land Warfare Doctrine: Implications for the South Asian Region

Abstract

South Asian security architecture has always faced instability because of the hegemonic ambitions of India and the ever-present rivalry between India and Pakistan. Add Afghanistan’s instability into the mix and the region has become a veritable volcano that can erupt at any time, impacting the entire world. More recently, driven by its ambitious agenda, the Indian military has unveiled a military doctrine by the name of “Land Warfare Doctrine 2018” which is based on a proactive and pre-emptive approach toward any conflict. The doctrine has declared Pakistan to be the primary focus and China to be the secondary focus. It encompasses the geo-strategic environment, future security challenges, environmental realities, and hybrid warfare. With a greater emphasis on the rearrangement of the strike formations into the IBGs or the Integrated Battle Groups, the LWD aims to equip the offensive components for shallow incursions in rapid combat situations. Such an agenda has the potential to thrust the South Asian region into a never-ending arms race, security dilemma, and stability-instability paradox.