India's Grand Strategy: Ambitions and Capacity
Abstract
There currently exists a critical consensus that Indias leaders lack a grand strategy to direct internal and external policies. Recent literature focuses increasingly on this issue to address the question of Indias ability to counter Chinas rising influence in South Asia and the Indian Ocean Region. This thesis analyzes the ideological and historical factors that have contributed to Indias grand strategy policy-making process. Specifically, the research focuses on two primary schools of strategic thought in Indias rich history: the Indira Doctrine and the Gujral Doctrine. This study builds on George Tanhams mandala system of strategic thinking, which places Indias spheres of influence into three concentric circles: the core, periphery, and extended neighborhood. Using this analytical framework, this thesis tests the Indira and Gujral Doctrines for their ability to resolve Indias strategic concerns in each sphere of influence. The study concludes that India will not be able to counter Chinas influence or project its own global power until strategic issues in the core and periphery are resolved. In light of Indias desire to wield great power, this thesis suggests that Indias leaders draw on the policies found in the Indira and Gujral Doctrines to devise a coherent grand strategy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1080464
Entities
People
- Suzelle M. Thomas
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School