Diverse Armed Forces in a Diverse Country

Although the number of young people fit for conscription may approach 75 millions in some years, national defence is not about a show of strength. It is important to make sure that international great powers are aware that if the need arises, the country can protect its population of 1.2 billion, but it must also be made clear that India does not have any cross-border territorial claims. “Our military strategy is about capabilities and not about militant intentions", the military leader added. It is also shown by the fact that thanks to the 1993 and 1996 agreements on confidence and security building measures (CSBM), peaceful coexistence was achieved with China, India’s formerly hostile neighbor.

India and Syria reached agreement on an outline peace accord in 2005, and now the time has come to make peace with Pakistan. First and foremost, it is the terrorist organizations that must be fought in Pakistan, and it will be hard to root them out as long as the population – often acting out of fear – provides safe haven for the radicals. Besides using the military, the leadership of India gives high importance to economic influence as well. “The Indian armed forces are a way of life", the general noted in finishing his lecture. He said that “the ties among soldiers are often closer than those among relatives, and although their religious affiliation is easy to see, it is rather a taboo subject", adding that “the military of our country is apolitical, and our goal is to understand and maintain diversity".