Indian Military Might

Geostrategic dimensions are important for the statecraft. Governance is not only administrative excellence. But the comprehensive management of all affairs of the nation building. It is a well proven fact that only powerful stable states can uphold strong nation fortified by secure borders. Having strong armies has been the priority for the nations from post-World War II to defeat the threat to the people. After independence and partition. India had to raise its military potential to meet the changing global order. Not only that. It had to delink its defence strategy from the colonial mould. Partition of India had changed the sub-continental politics and the Great Game was gaining momentum between emerging super powers that culminated into the Cold War. Later leading to the patronisation of the balkanisation to destabilise ancient nations. We know how erstwhile USSR and US indulged in geostrategic games and divided the world into two blocs. It decided the power calculus of the smaller nations. In this tug of war many destabilisations were inflicted on India due to the shifting of power games at the global level. Then the differences between erstwhile USSR and China; both leading the communist ideological march also added a new dimensions. It influenced the security calculus in the world but the India had to face multi-faceted challenges to balance this shift in military calculations. Pakistan and India conflict was exploited by outside powers. It is during this period that Afghan Taliban were used as mercenaries, shifting sides and doing biding of the sponsors  who wreaked havoc not only in the Af-Pak region but ruptured the social fabric in Jammu and Kashmir. Operation TOPAC and the subversive role of military junta led by General Zia –ul- Haq to break India raised security and geostrategic questions for India’s national security and territorial integrity. That included the ISI handling of anti –India mercenaries to inflict thousand wounds on India. It is in this background India had to evolve its armed forces to deal with situations that were not of conventional warfare. But subversive warfare. Where the citizens of the nations were brainwashed to wage a war against the nation and disturb the peace and harmony in the society. In such a severe challenge Indian army maintained its poise and its inclusive character to uphold the nation building. Emerging as the world’s one of the most disciplined armies. As per the  Global Firepower Rankings, India has maintained its position as the fourth strongest military globally. According to GFP’s assessment, India holds a Power Index (PwrIndx) score of 0.1023. (A score of 0.0000 is considered ‘perfect’). The US holds a Power Index score of 0.0699, Russia 0.0702 and China 0. 0706. A total of 145 countries were assessed on the basis of their global military prowess for the Global Firepower’s 2024 Military Strength Rankings. This indicates the resurgence of India in terms of military might and its importance in global strategic calculus. It acts as the deterrent against the subversive enemies who indulge in unconventional warfare. Raising the stakes of the enemy is the important strategy of defence in the modern warfare. It acts as the robust security immune system. It reduces the need for conventional warfare. As enemy is well aware of the damage it can invite if it violates national security. Both economic and military might move in tandem. India has to maintain this and develop enough military deterrents to impose costs on the enemies. Methodology of war has changed as security calculus has changed. This military ranking of India among the top militaries of the world is a welcome sign.