1.      The turmoil in Bangladesh has met with a standard response from the Indian Defence Forces. The forces along the border have been put on high alert to defend the border and to ensure that no large-scale infiltration by the Bangladeshis takes place into Indian territory.  Pictures of the newly appointed Director General visiting the Border Security Force posts along the Indian border with Bangladesh were splashed over all Indian newspapers.  The Indians are happy that we have been able to keep even the distressed Hindus of Bangladesh from entering India. The Bangladeshis don’t harbor similar fears of Indian incursions. Interestingly, India doesn’t contemplate creating a safe corridor or a ‘No Man’s Land’ within Bangladesh territory to prevent such infiltration or create safe haven for threatened communities.

2.      The military takeover of Pakistan by Gen Pervez Musharraf in 1999 had also triggered a similar response from the Indian Defence Forces. The forces deployed along the Line of Control and International Border were put on a high alert to ensure that no infiltration from Pakistan takes place into the Indian territory. But Pakistan perceived no significant threat from India. No wonder even during the existing cease fire period, Pakistan keeps sending drones in Indian territory and elicit no offensive response from the Indian forces. Our limited response is to shoot down the drones over Indian territory. Indian military never sends or contemplates sending drones into Pakistan territory. Similarly, our response to infiltration along the Line of Control or IB with Pakistan is restricted to killing the infiltrators on Indian soil. Indian Military does not find it prudent to carry the battle of terrorism to the Pakistan soil. During ‘Op Vijay’ also we fought the whole battle on Indian soil and created no threat to Pakistan citizens on their soil.

3.      The Indian state is spending huge sums of money to fence its borders with Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and even Nepal. Large number of soldiers are thereafter deployed along these fences to prevent any infiltration into the Indian territory.

4.      The Indian state feels threatened by almost all its neighbours or their proxies whereas the Indian neighbouring countries apprehend almost no threat from India. These neighbouring countries can do anything and get away without any substantial response from the Indian State. The Chinese PLA keeps the Indian Army always on its toes along the Line of Actual Control and has well thought of aggressive plan of action known as the “Salami Slicing”. The PLA keeps nibbling Indian territory whenever they find an opportunity. The Indian Armed Forces are thus left with no option but to guard every inch of territory along the Indo -China Border. We don’t have any suitable offensive plans against such aggressive action. We don’t even have any such plans against our other weak neighbours. So, these neighbours sleep in peace while the Indian forces tire themselves out guarding the borders.

5.      This situation is the result of the “Defensive Mindset” of the Indian military. The Indian military is so defensive in their mindset that all their exercises and wargames start by painting a picture in the exercise papers (called the whites) that Red Land (enemy) has attacked Blue Land (India) or crossed the IB/LC. Even after 75 years of independence we have not been able to even visualise one scenario where the Blue Land goes on an offensive to protect or further its vital national interests. When the forces fear to even dream of attacking and punishing an adversary, the defensive mindset truly sets in. Neighbours in such a situation become more belligerent and have no fear of the military might of India.

6.      This defensive mindset is not the weakness of the military alone. Even the so-called think tanks and intelligentsia of the country have failed to expound a narrative where we can find a legitimate reason to carry out offensive against a neighbouring country. Russia feels threatened and can invade Ukraine because it feels that the expansion of NATO to Ukraine will create a threat to its existence. But we don’t have a single paper or article to say that any expansion of Chinese influence in Nepal is a direct threat to India and India should consider and plan for the capture of Nepal. Similarly, any political turmoil in Pakistan, Myanmar or Bangladesh should give a legitimate reason to India to use force to prevent infiltration, protect the minorities or the struggling communities in these countries.  The period of turmoil should thus be used to either resort to ‘salami Slicing’, ‘building safe enclaves’ or even to capture territory that can enhance the Indian Defensive posture. We should be claiming some territory in these countries as our own or critical for the defence of India.

7.      Some Indian intellectuals fed on the concept of ‘Ahmisa’ will call it war mongering but an aggressive policy on these lines will actually usher in stability in Indian neighbouring countries. The military, the so-called students or other Islamic organisation will have to factor in India’s response during turmoil before embarking on any adventurous regime change there.