India’s National Security Dilemma: The Pakistan Factor and India’s Policy Response

This work provides comprehensive explanation and analysis of India’s Pakistan policy in the context of emerging security issues and concerns. As the importance of a strategic perspective to India’s foreign policy is growing in the post-Pokhran II period, the main objective of this study is to develop a conceptual framework of India’s national security and explain the major issues and disputes between India and Pakistan, and India’s threat perception and policy response within that framework. The study has been imparted a theoretical thrust to make it a serious academic work of long-lasting value. The scope and nature of the study make it different from other recent works on Indo-Pakistan relations. This work while analysing all the contentious issues between India and Pakistan builds a sound theory of India’s security concerns and policy responses in military and non-military dimensions. It examines the primacy of external threats and non-military approach in India’s conception of national security. The work attempts to unearth new facts and analyses policy initiates afresh. The most recent changes and developments in regard to the issues such as irredentism or the Kashmir issue, arms race and the nuclear issue, intrusive role of the great powers, Pakistan’s support to terrorism and secessionism in India have been objectively assessed. The book provides interesting details about the role of the non-elected institutions in influencing security perceptions and crucial policy decisions, adequacy of India’s Kashmir policy and nuclear deterrence, reactive proactive paradigm, deliberate dilution and limitations of India’s bilateral approach vis-?-vis Pakistan, and the rationale and implications of India’s new policy moves such as composite dialogue or no-dialogue with Pakistan, and welcoming third party role on the issue of Kashmir if it is according to India’s predilections. This study examines various issues related to India’s defence policy and posture. It is also examined as to how India’s external security and defence policies, though in their theoretical formulations are officially described as holistic and security-specific, in practice the Indian state behaviour has reflected obsession with the Pakistan factor.