Dear
Readers,
I am
delighted to present the USI’s Journal for the final quarter of 2023.
Throughout the past 153 years, the USI has consistently been committed to
delivering strategic insights on matters crucial to national security and
geopolitics. This edition comprises 12 meticulously researched articles
covering a range of topics, from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to the Chinese
human intelligence mechanism, to another one on the steps Beijing has taken to
establish its primacy in global affairs and the ongoing issues in Manipur.
Diplomatic relations between India and neighbouring countries like Bhutan,
Maldives, and Taiwan are thoroughly analysed to provide insights into potential
future developments. Additionally, the journal explores the evolution of
warfare technologies, including ballistic missile systems and drones. An
article is dedicated to the India-Middle-East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC),
shedding light on its economic and geopolitical implications compared to the
Chinese Belt and Road Initiative. Then there is an article on improving our
preparedness in the sphere of Space Domain Awareness for the management of our
national space proficiencies. Furthermore, an article on the Russo-Ukrainian
War focusing on modernisation and capital procurement concerning India.
The first article, ‘Azerbaijan’s Capture
of Nagorno-Karabakh Opens Up Challenges for India in the South Caucuses’, is
authored by Major General Jagatbir Singh, VSM (Retd). According to the author,
the South Caucasus has gained significance for India’s aspirations to establish
a transportation corridor connecting it to Europe through the Iranian plateau.
However, the ongoing conflict over the Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh Enclave within
Azerbaijan poses a hindrance to India’s plans. The article explores the key
challenges arising from the geopolitics of the conflict, its regional
dimensions, India’s stakes, and concludes with noteworthy policy
recommendations. Following this, an article by Group Captain Praveer Ashok
Purohit (Retd), titled ‘IMEC: Reimagining Connectivity Through Shared
Aspirations’ highlights the objectives of the IMEC, aiming to stimulate
economic development through enhanced connectivity and economic integration
between Asia and the West. It also addresses the challenges and suggests ways
through which IMEC could overcome critical issues in areas of funding,
interoperability, and harmonising different systems and policies.
The third article, ‘Chinese Global Human
Intelligence Operations Through Cultural Diplomacy’, by Colonel DCS Mayal,
argues that Chinese Diasporas, including students studying abroad, have acted
as agents for collecting human intelligence using a strategy colloquially named
as the ‘policy of thousand grains of sand’. The article further asserts how
India can similarly bolster its cultural diplomacy using its own diasporas,
equally large in numbers and much more diverse, to augment its
intelligence-gathering capabilities. The fourth article is by first time
contributor, Vinayak Sharma, titled ‘China’s Middle Kingdom Dream’. This
article details how China has been working towards establishing Beijing’s
dominion over the world. Close attention is paid to the institutional measures,
expansionism, soft power and the economy on the basis of which China hopes to
rise to the status of superpower. The article further focuses on China’s
complex strategic outlook for the establishment of Pax Sinica.
Rahul B. Wankhede, in his article
‘Evolution of India’s Ballistic Missile Defence Program: Prospects and
Challenges’, writes that the deployment of the Ballistic Missile Defence has
showcased technological advancements and self-reliance in the development of
laser-based interception technology. The article further elaborates on the
resource allocation and technological advancements necessary for seamless
integration into the military infrastructure. The sixth article, written by
Major HS Mankoo, titled ‘Counter Drone Warfare’, talks about the proliferation
of consumer-grade drones and how it has ushered in an era of new security
challenges. It focuses on the technical aspects of countering drones and
analyses methods for detection, identification, and neutralisation of said
drones. It also explores the types of drones that have been used during the
Ukraine conflict and the lessons that can be learned by the Indian military.
The next article, by Brigadier Pawan
Bhardwaj on ‘National Security Dynamics: The Role of India-Taiwan Collaboration
amidst Geopolitical Challenges’ highlights the compulsive need for a nuanced
cross-cultural partnership with Taiwan. He brings out that common religious and
cultural beliefs can be used to bridge collaboration deficiencies and improve
strategic communications. The eighth article, titled ‘Manipur- The Way Ahead’,
by Brigadier Dinesh Mathur (Retd), focuses on the conflict that rattled the
northeastern state, leading to widespread arson, damage to life and property,
along with human rights violations. The main thrust of the article is on how
the Assam Rifles, being the mainstay force in the northeast, can be effectively
utilised to ensure such conflicts are curtailed in the future.
The next article, ‘A New Discourse on
Indo-Maldives Relations: Challenges and Opportunities’, by Tanya Jain, focuses
on the evolving Indo-Maldives relations in light of the recent election of Dr.
Mohamed Muizzu. Often termed as ‘Pro-China’, President Muizzu’s rise to power
could signal a changing atmosphere in the Indo-Pacific region and, therefore,
require a recalibration of the strategic calculus. In his article, ‘Space
Domain Awareness: The Global Common’, Lieutenant Colonel Amandeep Singh has
discussed the Space as an operational sphere. He has advocated for the first
mover’s advantage and that Space Domain Awareness (SDA) allows for monitoring
the space environment, thereby identifying commercial SDA opportunities that,
in turn, could help enhance the ability to conduct national security missions.
In the penultimate article of the
journal, Dr. Beena, in her article titled ‘The Enduring Bonds: Soft Power
Diplomacy in the India-Bhutan Relationship’, has advocated for the importance
of soft power diplomacy in the making of enduring long-term partnerships by
transcending political boundaries. The article asserts that yoga can be used as
a tool for reviving cultural affinities and historical connections. In the
final article of the journal, Colonel Ashish Dutta in his contribution titled,
‘What Lessons Can Be Drawn from Russia-Ukraine Conflict By The Indian Army With
Respect To Modernisation And Capital Procurement’, states that it is too early
to say whether the conflict will result in the continuance of unipolarity or
lead to a multi-polar world order. He also argues that the geopolitical
implications cannot be yet determined. The conflict, involving advanced
weaponry from both Western and Russian sources, offers crucial lessons for the
Indian Army in terms of force modernisation and capital procurement.
The last part of the journal contains a
book review article by Major General, Jagatbir Singh on the biography of Major
General AV Natu, MVC, ‘A Soldier’s Soldier: Saviour of Poonch 1971’, by
Brigadier Vijay Natu. The review provides a comprehensive account of General
Natu’s life, covering his early years, military service, and post-retirement
period. The book highlights General Natu’s impact on people he encountered,
emphasising unit bonding and esprit de corps (Union is Strength),
particularly in the 9th Gorkha Rifles. The narrative includes
anecdotes showcasing General Natu’s leadership during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan
War, where he played a crucial role in the defence of Poonch, earning him the
Maha Vir Chakra. The biography also reflects on the larger historical context
of the Indian Army from partition to post-1971, emphasising the importance of
leadership and professionalism.
In conclusion, the USI Journal remains
steadfast in its mission to provide a platform for informed discourse and
strategic analysis. As we eagerly await your feedback and suggestions, we
express our sincere gratitude for your continued support. Special
acknowledgement is extended to the Indian Council of Social Science Research
for their invaluable financial assistance in bringing this journal to fruition.
Happy
Reading!
Major
General Sanjeev Chowdhry (Retd)
Director
Editorial