ABOUT THE BOOK
India’s
security dilemmas are complex, with two hostile powers on its frontiers and a
large number of internal fault lines which are vulnerable and have been
exploited by the adversaries in the past. The Indian Army Doctrine of 2018
defines ‘the collusive external threat
from adversaries as well as the internal instability due to state/non-state
sponsored proxy war’ as the primary security challenge to India. It further
amplifies the changing character of war as ‘wars
will be hybrid in nature, a blend of conventional and unconventional, with
focus increasingly shifting to multi domain warfare varying from non-contact to
contact warfare’. In a nutshell therefore hybrid war is among the primary
areas of focus for the Indian military today.
‘Changing
Character of Hybrid War: The Threat to India’ examines the transformation
in hybrid warfare and analyses its threat to India. It begins with an analysis
of the doctrine adopted by the US, Russia, China, UK & NATO in dealing with
this threat. Thereafter it illuminates the emerging characteristics of hybrid
war by exploring certain case studies from major contemporary conflicts.
India`s primary challenge in this area is of a collusive hybrid war from
Pakistan and China. Accordingly, the book analyses the strategic culture of
Pakistan Army and transformation of the People`s Liberation Army (PLA) to
ascertain their views on hybrid warfare.
The book argues that India needs to build deterrence
against the hybrid threat. It also recommends measures for capability building
in a Hybrid Warfare scenario at National Level. The book will be of great
interest for practitioners, analysts and is a must read for young officers in
uniform to help them appreciate an important dimension of future warfare.
ABOUT Author
Colonel Shubhankar Basu, SM, VSM is a serving Indian Army (Infantry) officer, who specializes in high altitude and mountain warfare. He has served extensively on Line of Control between India and Pakistan and also on the India China border. He has served in operational duties in high altitude & glacier terrain, deserts, counter terror and in peace keeping operations in Africa under the United Nations (UN). He was awarded the Sena Medal for gallantry in antiterror operations and was wounded in action. He has also served as instructor in Defence Services Staff College and as staff officer in military operations and human resource directorate at Army HQ. The officer has carried out research on ‘Transformation of Hybrid Warfare’ with specific focus on ‘Collusive Hybrid Threat to India’ at Vivekananda International Foundation. This book is the outcome of his research.
Vivekananda International Foundation is a prominent and distinctive think tank, based in Delhi. Guided by the message of Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902), the VIF conducts research on a wide range of subjects covering international relations, national security, foreign policy, issues of defence, governance, economics, history and civilisation. The objectives of the VIF`s research are to promote nation building, encourage harmony in diversity, prioritise conflict avoidance and generate environmental awareness. An able team of researchers, defence, security and foreign policy experts, prominent academicians and eminent citizens help the VIF in its activities. The VIF’s messages are reflected in its publications. As a premier geo-political, strategic and national security think tank, the VIF is committed to offer focused and expertly analysed issues of national salience for the discerning citizen, the polity, and for the decision-makers to take note.