Indian Navy's Moment of Reckoning: Intellectual Clarity Need of the Hour

Abstract

The emergence of the Indian Navy (IN) in recent years as an indispensable tool of Indian diplomacy, has made it imperative for Indian policy-makers and naval thinkers to think anew its role in Indian strategy. There is a long tradition in India of viewing the Indian Ocean as a national backyard and, therefore, advocating a greater role for Delhi in underwriting the security and stability of the Indian Ocean Region. India's economic rise should prompt Indian strategic thinkers to bring that focus back and make the IN integral to Indian grand strategy. While China remains a significant concern, the bigger problem remains one of introducing organisational changes and doctrinal evolution. The author has brought out how management of these issues will be significant not only for the IN's future but also for the rise of India as a credible global military power.