ABOUT THE BOOK
For decades, democracies including India have kept the civil and military spheres apart—out of fear of militarization, competition for resource allocation from a common pool, even to privilege business & commerce over security. The results, however, has often been sub-optimal in terms of delivery.
In sharp contrast, China went the other way. Through its doctrine of Military-Civil Fusion (MCF), it has seamlessly linked civilian capacities and military prowess—in shipbuilding, semiconductors, AI, and the emerging storm of technologies—using commercial scale and capital to fuel its strategic-military ascendancy. The United States once practised civil-military integration with great agility, only to retreat into silos, and is now struggling to rebuild lost synergies.
As India re-imagines its national security frame, the question arises: should it craft its own model of Civil-Military Fusion (CMF)? What principles, priorities, and safeguards would make CMF work in a democratic setting?
This book explores the above and much more, drawing lessons from China’s MCF, the American experience, and India’s evolving trajectory—inviting readers to join an exciting conversation on security, innovation, and possible pathways that could shape India’s strategic-military futures. Leveraged with wisdom and resolve, CMF could become the ‘secret sauce’ to fuel, fortify and secure India’s rise.
ABOUT Author
A former Army Commander, with over four decades of distinguished service in the Indian Army, across a wide range of operational, ideational and training assignments. A combat aviator and accomplished public speaker, the officer has an abiding interest in strategic-military affairs. He has published more than 100 articles in journals and prominent dailies. He has also lectured/ participated in approximately 450 talks/ seminars/events in India and abroad.
A Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) he has been elected to the Executive Council of the United Services Institute (USI) and the Governing Council of the India Foundation.
The Honorable President was pleased to appoint General Shukla to the UPSC on 18th July, 2022.