A Perspective on Defence Planning in India

The available literature on defence planning in India does not make for very encouraging reading. A few things stand out. Firstly, there is an acute dearth, if not almost complete absence, of authentic official accounts and analysis of what has gone on in the name of defence planning over the last six decades. Secondly, narratives based either on personal recollection or on opinions and views of those who have directly or indirectly been associated with defence planning at different points of time have filled this void. Others have chipped in too. Many of these opinions and views are based on a subjective interpretation of facts. Thirdly, systemic reforms in the area of defence planning do not appear imminent. The basic problem, of course, is the absence of an official account of defence planning, which has hampered objective analysis and research.