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Col Vivek Chadha (Retd), served in the Indian Army for 22 years prior to taking premature retirement to pursue research. He joined the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses in November 2011 and is a Senior Fellow at the Military Affairs Centre.
Colonel Chadha’s areas of research include counter terrorism and military studies. His single author books on counter terrorism include Low Intensity Conflicts in India: An Analysis; Lifeblood of Terrorism: Countering Terrorism Finance and Company Commander in Low Intensity Conflicts. His single author books on military subjects include, Even if Ain’t Broke Yet, Do Fix It: Enhancing Effectiveness Through Military Change; Kargil: Past Perfect: Future Uncertain; CDS and Beyond: Integration of the Indian Armed Forces. He has also written the book, Indo-US Relations: From Divergence to Convergence.
His current area of research focusses on the strategic lessons of the Mahabharata.
He was part of the team that wrote the Indian Army’s first Sub Conventional Doctrine in 2006.
Col Chadha is on the Editorial Committee of the Journal of Defence Studies.
Mahabharata: A Strategic Overview
The Indian way of conceptualising war, employment of force, use of diplomacy, guidance for soldiering and capability development has a long and rich tradition that emerges from texts like the Mahabharata.
No Money for Terror: Challenges and Way Ahead
International cooperation is the key to curbing the menace of terrorism finance more effectively.
Challenges Galore in Preventing Terror Funding
Senior Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Col Vivek Chadha’s article ‘Challenges galore in preventing terror funding’ has been published in ‘The Tribune’ on 16 November 2022.
We tend to forget the role of a State in the control, recruitment and funding of some terror groups. It is unimaginable to think of the LeT and JeM without linking them to the ISI and the Pakistan Army. They have raised, nurtured and employed these tools of modern warfare, often referred to as hybrid warfare, in pursuit of their strategic ends, says Col Chadha.
1971 India-Pakistan War: 50 Years Later
The combined impact created by the resolute people of Bangladesh and the professional approach of the Indian state, successfully converted a catastrophe of epic proportions into a victory of the people, won through their stoic resolve and the professionalism of the armed forces.
There have been a number of books, memoirs and articles over the years that have documented first-person and academic accounts of events that marked this period of history. Not surprisingly, most were written during the period succeeding the war and after the birth of Bangladesh. This book is an attempt to evaluate events with the benefit of a five-decade time lapse. In doing so, the focus remains firmly on the military aspects of the war, accompanied by a brief account of political events, diplomacy, influence of major powers, public perception and the role of Mukti Bahini.
Modi Govt Must Utilise the Pause Period in CDS Rawats Replacement and Fine-Tune the Role
Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Col Vivek Chadha’s article ‘Modi Govt Must Utilise the Pause Period in CDS Rawat’s Replacement and Fine-tune the Role’, has been published in ‘The Print’ on 23 May 2022.
Two aspects deserve a closer look: Should India continue with the triple-hatted appointment of the CDS? What should be the scope of their operational mandate?, says Col Chadha.
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Politico-Military Strategy of the Bangladesh Liberation War, 1971
The Indian subcontinent marked 50 years of the 1971 Indo-Pak War or the Bangladesh liberation war: on 16 December 2021. While this event was commemorated in India and Bangladesh, it is a time for introspection for Pakistan.
Transformation of the Indian Armed Forces: Future Challenges
Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Col Vivek Chadha’s article ‘Transformation of the Indian Armed Forces: Future Challenges’ has been published by the University of Pennsylvania, on 25 April 2022.
Russia fighting conventional war against unconventional Ukraine has a lesson for India
Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Col Vivek Chadha’s article ‘Russia fighting conventional war against unconventional Ukraine has a lesson for India’ has been published in ‘The Print’ on 24 March 2022.
A tank-versus-tank battle works when both countries are following a finite warfare strategy. But Ukraine’s objective is not the military defeat of Russia’s forces, says Col Chadha.
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CDS and Beyond Integration of the Indian Armed Forces
Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Col. Vivek Chadha’s book ‘CDS and Beyond Integration of the Indian Armed Forces’ has been published by KW Publishers.
The book undertakes a focussed assessment of the changes that commenced with the appointment of CDS. This includes the role and inter-se co-relation between major stake holders and defence departments.
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CDS and Beyond Integration of the Indian Armed Forces
The ongoing military reforms began with the appointment of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and creation of the Department of Military Affairs. Future changes are likely to include the creation of theatre commands, functional commands, restructuring of Army Headquarters and a number of other associated shifts in conjunction with these big bang reforms.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that these changes are perhaps the most far-reaching military reforms in India’s post-independence history.
The book undertakes a focussed assessment of the changes that commenced with the appointment of CDS. This includes the role and inter-se co-relation between major stake holders and defence departments. Keeping in view the need to enhance operational effectiveness, recommendations regarding the chain of command, rank structures and role of service chiefs have been made. The book will also analyse the structure and role of the future Air Defence and Logistics Command.