India's Approaching Expeditionary Armed Forces
Abstract
The country of India continues to straddle the crossroads of East and West, much as it has done throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. As the world's fastest growing population with an enormous capitalist appetite, India finds itself a strategic partner of the United States, and yet a global competitor interested in agreements with dubious cohorts such as Russia and China. Because of its increasing interests abroad, India must look internally and ask itself if an expeditionary armed force is in its national interests. This study seeks to determine India's future position within Asia and the world by analyzing its military capabilities and intentions. If India is beginning to shift to an expeditionary approach to warfare/conflict resolution, then there are key components of Joint Operations that the Indian Armed Forces must execute to transform itself into a force that meets the criteria of being expeditionary. This study begins by analyzing India's official foreign policy and security strategy objectives. It then addresses how India's military is building, adapting, and transforming itself to meet these objectives. The author uses as metrics three of the six Joint functions defined in the Department of Defense Joint Publication 3-0, "Joint Operations: Command and Control, Movement and Maneuver, and Sustainment." Findings show that India possesses a Joint, expeditionary capability, but it is limited. India will continue to increase its expeditionary capability, but it must first overcome some significant obstacles. These obstacles include a bureaucratic defense structure mired in inter-service rivalries, and a political stance of nonalignment. The United States should continue to support its growing strategic partner, but do so diplomatically. Overt military support of India's mission may ignite issues with Pakistan and China. The United States should build stronger ties with India, but also begin mediating India-Pakistan relations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 19, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA485698
Entities
People
- Christopher R. Liermann
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College