Hinduism and the Ethics of Warfare in South Asia: From Antiquity to the Present, by Kaushik Roy In the academic field of modern history studies, historians dealing with South Asia largely neglect the historical evolution of military–strategic thought on the Indian subcontinent. It is also true that, both for political scientists and scholars of the specialized field of strategy, it is not very common to find people engaging with theories other than Western theories of warfare.1 Nevertheless, the new generation of scholars has started to deal with these subjects. Jean Langlois-Berthelot October 2013 Journal of Defence Studies
Samudra Manthan: Sino-Indian Rivalry in the Indo-Pacific, by C. Raja Mohan Samudra Manthan is a book whose time has come. It brings to the table the other dimension of the Sino-Indian rivalry, which is often missed by the larger group of policymakers: the maritime and naval aspects of the relationship. Raja Mohan borrows from Indian mythology in selecting the name of this lucid and well-researched account of the emerging frontiers of Sino-Indian rivalry in the Indo-Pacific. Mandip Singh October 2013 Journal of Defence Studies
The Rise of the Indian Navy: Internal Vulnerabilities, External Challenges, edited by Harsh V. Pant Since antiquity the Indian Ocean has been the centre of human progress, a great arena in which many civilizations have mingled, fought, and traded on important trade routes criss-crossing the waters around India for thousands of years. The entry and exit is to this vast water body is through four ‘gates’ or choke points: the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb; around South Africa’s Cape Agulhas; the Strait of Malacca; and past Australia’s Cape West Howe. Rakesh Chopra October 2013 Journal of Defence Studies
Strategic Perspectives on Growth Phases and Long-term Techno-economic Performance of India’s DRDO The future of an organization is less determined by outside forces than by its history and the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is no exception. This article analyses the major achievements and shortfalls of the DRDO. It models the strategic dimensions of organization development. The value of production from defence industries arising from DRDO technology transfers is rapidly escalating, enabling the government’s goal of self-reliance. R. Gopalaswami , G. Satheesh Reddy October 2013 Journal of Defence Studies
The Cholas: Some Enduring Issues of Statecraft, Military Matters and International Relations The article addresses the deficit in the indigenous, rich historical knowledge of south India. It does this by examining the military and political activities of the Cholas to understand the employment of various supplementary strategies. The article deals with the engagements and battles of the Cholas with other kingdoms of south India, and ‘externally’ with Sri Lanka. It begins with an exposition of various types of alliances that were an integral part of the military strategy of the time. P. K. Gautam October 2013 Journal of Defence Studies
Letter to the Editor My overall impression is that the Army has been unduly harsh and self-deprecatory regarding the present state of its moral health. As against this, the Army’s track record has been excellent through all wars and operations since independence, except in 1962. In addition, the Army has done sterling work in quelling or containing various insurgencies in Nagaland, Punjab and, above all, the virulent, decades old insurgency in Kashmir, which is still raging intensely. In spite of the most strenuous efforts made by Pakistan, Kashmir still remains under Indian control. H. C. Dutta October 2013 Journal of Defence Studies
September 26 Attacks in J&K: Assessing the Response The infiltration by a large group of terrorists in the Karen Sector, is a harsh reminder for the police, army and security planners in the country that the ongoing proxy war from Pakistan will continue to challenge the Indian state. Vivek Chadha October 04, 2013 IDSA Comments
Showdown between RIs and Pakistan Army: Implications for India The Pakistan army is caught in a cleft stick on the issue of dealing with the Radical Islamists. A section of the military establishment sympathizes and empathizes with the sectarian agenda of the RIs due to its own religious predilections. P. K. Upadhyay October 04, 2013 IDSA Comments
Provincial polls in Sri Lanka: A new dawn? Post-elections, one can now expect a meaningful political dialogue between the Sri Lankan government and the TNA on the feasible interpretation and application of the autonomy measures under the 13th Amendment. Gautam Sen October 04, 2013 IDSA Comments
Cut in Non-plan Expenditure and Impact on Defence Budget The services will have no option but to reduce the allocation under the heads where the impact is not immediately visible: maintenance of infrastructure, purchase of spares for maintenance of equipment, procurement of ammunition, etc. Amit Cowshish October 03, 2013 IDSA Comments