PAPER ID: IJIM/Vol. 8 (VII) November 2023/38-42 /7

AUTHOR: Abhishek Kumar Singh

TITLE: EVOLVING NATIONAL SECURITY CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES: A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS

ABSTRACT: Within the discourse of Indian public dialogue, the concept of “national security” is frequently intertwined with the defense of borders, a viewpoint conspicuous in recent electoral campaigns. Despite the availability of public information, there has been a limited analysis of structures designed to tackle national security challenges. This article delves into India’s shifting governmental stance on national security, the establishment of pertinent structures, and assesses their efficacy. It identifies ongoing challenges and proposes measures to fortify India’s national security framework. The article concentrates on six research areas, encompassing the state’s perspective on the use of force, the repercussions of recent wars, future warfare dynamics, strategic partnerships, the organization of armed forces, and defense procurements. As India contends with escalating global influence, the imperative for integrated security measures becomes evident.

Confronting a more assertive China and global turbulence stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, India adopted a measured military balancing strategy in 2020. The concept of “zone balancing” elucidates India’s strategic realignment, particularly its heightened involvement in the Quad—an alliance involving the US, Australia, Japan, and India. This article explicates the constraints and strategic rationale behind the Quad, underscoring the challenges and resource-intensive nature of military balancing. India’s encounter with China underscores the complexities of balancing power against a significantly superior force. In the Indo-Pacific region, India has transitioned to zone balancing since 2020, integrating military balancing with intensified Quad collaboration. Despite its expanded agenda, the Quad is unlikely to evolve into a comprehensive military alliance and may not effectively deter certain forms of aggression.

KEYWORDS: India, national security, geopolitical landscape, armed forces, strategic partnerships, defense acquisitions, military balancing, zone balancing, Quad, Indo-Pacific, China, COVID-19 pandemic, global instability, assertive strategy, power shift, strategic reasoning.

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