Intro: In an era marked by escalating geopolitical tensions, Lt. Gen. Shokin Chauhan shares invaluable insights on India's defence strategies. From enhancing indigenous production to combating hybrid warfare, his expertise unveils critical pathways for fortifying national security and engaging private sector innovation. Speaking to Mahima Sharma on Socio-economic Voices this week, he shares the future of India's defence landscape in this compelling and exclusive interview at Indiastat...
MS: What's your take on India's Defence Industry: Achievements and Challenges? And what should be the practical road ahead amid rising geo-political tensions?
Lt. Gen. Chauhan: India's defence industry has made significant strides over the last few decades, but it still faces several challenges.
Here’s a breakdown of its key achievements, challenges, and the challenges ahead: Achievements
Increased Indigenous Production: India has been actively pushing the “Make in India” initiative, and there has been success with platforms like the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, INS Vikrant (the indigenous aircraft carrier), and BrahMos missiles (developed in collaboration with Russia). There has also been an expansion in manufacturing defence equipment such as tanks, artillery, and armoured vehicles.
DRDO’s Progress: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been critical in developing several indigenous technologies, including missile defence systems, radar systems, and combat drones. However the DRDO needs to be restructured to make it more accountable and that too is being done now.
Private Sector Participation: The liberalisation of the defence sector has encouraged private companies like Tata Advanced Systems, Larsen & Toubro, and Mahindra Defence to enter defence manufacturing.
This has increased competition and driven innovation.
Space Capabilities: India's advancements in space technology, led by ISRO, have also contributed to its defence capabilities, such as satellite-based surveillance and missile guidance systems.
Export Potential: India is emerging as a defence exporter, albeit on a smaller scale. Exporting to countries like Vietnam, Philippines, and African nations has provided a boost to its global standing.
Now let’s come to the Challenges
Coming to the Practical Road Ahead, as per my expertise and experience, I am sharing some facts and key areas:
MS: How do you assess the effectiveness of current counter-terrorism strategies in India compared to international benchmarks, such as the Global Terrorism Index, which ranked India at 8th in the world?
Lt. Gen. Chauhan: India’s counter-terrorism strategies have been successful but still face significant challenges, since the Global Terrorism Index (GTI), ranks India as the 8th most affected country by terrorism.
This underscores the threat India faces, especially in regions like Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), Central India (affected by Maoist insurgency), and parts of our North-East.
Effectiveness of India’s Counter-Terrorism Strategies
Security Forces’ Role and Successes: The Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and CAPFs have significantly reduced threats in these regions. In J&K, following the revocation of Article 370, security operations have intensified, with a notable decline in militancy and enhanced coordination among the Army, CRPF, and local police. In Central India, the SAMADHAN initiative has weakened Maoist influence, and in the North-East, the Assam Rifles and Indian Army have maintained control effectively.
Intelligence and Surveillance: India’s intelligence network, led by RAW, IB, MI, and NIA, has advanced, enhancing surveillance, cyber intelligence, and counter-radicalization. The use of UAVs, satellite imagery, and human intelligence has strengthened India's capacity to pre-empt attacks, though coordination gaps between state and central agencies persist.
Legislative Framework: Laws like UAPA, NIA Act, and AFSPA support counter-terrorism but face criticism for human rights concerns. Despite their effectiveness, judicial delays and low conviction rates hinder their impact.
Counter-Radicalization Programs: India’s local counter-radicalization efforts in states like Kerala and Kashmir have seen moderate success, yet lack central coordination and struggle to maintain grassroots engagement.
Cross-Border Terrorism: Cross-border terrorism from Pakistan fuels conflict in J&K. India’s Balakot airstrikes in 2019 marked a proactive shift, while the Fence and Army deployments along the Line of Control have curbed infiltration. Diplomatic efforts through forums like FATF have had limited success in curbing Pakistan's support for terrorism.
Urban Terrorism and Global Terror Threats: Urban areas remain vulnerable to attacks from home-grown radicals and IS-inspired cells. Although India has been relatively insulated from global terror networks, tracking lone-wolf attacks and online radicalization remains challenging due to evolving tactics.
Comparison with International Benchmarks
India’s counter-terrorism approach can be compared favorably with several international benchmarks:
United States
The US boasts a robust inter-agency coordination system among its intelligence agencies (CIA, FBI, NSA), a capability India still struggles to achieve. While India is improving its surveillance and intelligence-gathering efforts, it lags in adopting advanced technologies like predictive analytics and AI.
Israel
Israel’s counter-terrorism strategy integrates military, intelligence, and political efforts. Its proactive strikes and intelligence-driven operations serve as a model for India, though regional complexities with Pakistan and China hinder India's ability to adopt a fully proactive approach without escalating internal conflicts.
UK and France
The UK and France emphasize counter-radicalization, particularly against Islamist terrorism, employing community policing, deradicalization programs, and sophisticated online monitoring. While these methods may be advanced, their effectiveness is questioned. In contrast, India's deradicalization efforts remain fragmented.
Challenges India Faces in Meeting Global Benchmarks
Coordination Issues: India’s counter-insurgency operations are complex. Security forces strive to use minimum force, yet they sometimes face criticism for human rights violations. This can breed local resentment and undermine long-term peace efforts.
Judicial System Bottlenecks: The slow judicial process weakens counter-terrorism efforts, leading to low conviction rates for arrested militants and diminishing the deterrent effect.
Technology Integration: To keep up with global counter-terrorism measures, India must enhance its use of cybersecurity, data analytics, and AI, especially as threats from cyber-terrorism and online radicalization rise.
So, what’s the way forward? It requires a three-pronged strategy:
MS: With the ongoing tensions along the Indo-China border and recent incursions, how effective do you believe India’s current border guarding operations are? What statistical evidence can you provide to support your assessment, and what changes would you advocate for?
Lt. Gen. Chauhan: India's current border guarding activities along the Indo-China border have had mixed success, primarily due to challenging terrain, harsh weather, and the advanced tactics of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). China’s increasing assertiveness, particularly in Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim, continues to complicate matters, as these areas remain contested.
Key Achievements of India's Border Guarding Operations
Despite these advancements, several challenges persist.
Challenges in India's Border Guarding Activities
Now coming to answer your query on, “Data-Based Support and Suggested Adjustments for Border Guarding Activities”
Chinese Incursions: The Indian Ministry of Defence reports an increase in Chinese breaches along the LAC, with over 200 incursions by the PLA in 2021 alone. From 2016 to 2021, such transgressions rose by 50%. The 2020 Galwan Valley clash marked the most intense confrontation in decades, resulting in 20 Indian soldier fatalities and an undetermined number of Chinese casualties.
Infrastructure Development: By 2023, India completed 42 of the 73 key highways being built along its border with China. Despite this progress, it still lags behind China in infrastructure development. The government has boosted the border infrastructure budget by ?15,000 crore ($2 billion) for 2023–2024.
Force Deployment: As of 2023, India has added 50,000 troops along the LAC, raising the total to over 200,000. The number of air assets, including UAVs, fighter jets, and helicopters, has significantly increased for better monitoring of Chinese movements.
Suggestions for Enhancing Border Guarding:
MS: With the rise of hybrid warfare tactics employed by various state and non-state actors, what new intelligence-gathering methods should India prioritise? How do current intelligence failures correlate with these emerging threats?
Lt. Gen. Chauhan: India must enhance its intelligence capabilities to tackle the rising threat of hybrid warfare, which combines conventional combat with cyberattacks and disinformation tactics from adversaries like China and Pakistan. I am sharing certain key areas for improvement:
Now coming to answers the part on “India’s Role Amid Global Conflicts”
As conflicts escalate in the Middle East and Ukraine, India should:
In summary, India should navigate these conflicts carefully, enhancing security and economic resilience while maintaining a constructive global presence.
MS: What role do you see India and Vietnam playing in shaping the regional security architecture in Southeast Asia in the next five years? How can they work together to ensure stability?
Lt. Gen. Chauhan: Rising geopolitical tensions in Southeast Asia, especially due to China's assertiveness in the South China Sea, position India and Vietnam to significantly influence regional security over the next five years. Both nations prioritize a rules-based order, maritime security, and regional stability. Their collaboration could reshape Southeast Asia's security dynamics.
Key Roles for Vietnam and India:
Collaborative Actions for Stability that India and Vietnam can take are…
Together, India and Vietnam can foster an inclusive, rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific, effectively counterbalancing China’s influence while promoting regional peace and prosperity.
MS: With the increasing acknowledgment of climate change as a national security threat, how should the Indian military adapt its operational frameworks to address climate-related risks? What data supports the urgency of this adaptation?
Lt. Gen. Chauhan: The Indian military needs to adapt its strategies to tackle climate-related risks that threaten national security. Here are some key approaches:
Adapt to Climate Change
Climate-Resilient Infrastructure
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR):
Strengthen Cooperation:
Research and Innovation
Evidence of Need for Adaptation
Climate disasters in India have surged twelvefold since 1970, affecting 75% of districts, with significant coastal vulnerabilities.
To counter rising climate threats, the Indian military must integrate climate considerations into its operations, bolster infrastructure, and enhance disaster response capabilities.
About Lt. Gen Shokin Chauhan (Retd.)
Lt Gen Shokin Chauhan, a distinguished military leader with five Presidential awards, served as Director-General of Assam Rifles before retiring in 2018. Post-retirement, he chaired the Ceasefire Monitoring Group, fostering peace with insurgent groups in Nagaland. A geopolitical scholar and strategic thinker, he earned a PhD on India-Nepal relations and contributed to influential forums. He also authored Bridging Borders, while consulting and lecturing on strategic leadership, geopolitics, and security issues.
About the Interviewer
Mahima Sharma is an Independent Senior Journalist based in Delhi NCR known for her multi-niche news reach. She has been in the field of TV, Print & Online Journalism since 2005 (earlier additional three years in the allied media). With a rich professional history at CNN-News18, ANI - Asian News International (in collaboration with Reuters), Voice of India, and Hindustan Times, Mahima is also the Founder & Editor of The Think Pot. Recipient of various awards for different works beyond journalism as well, Mahima Sharma was conferred with the REX Karmaveer Chakra (Silver) 2023, presented by iCONGO in association with the United Nations. Since March 2022, she has also been engaged in the pivotal role of Entrepreneurship Education Mentor at Women Will, a Google-backed program in collaboration with SHEROES. Mahima can be reached at media@indiastat.com
Disclaimer : This interview is the personal opinion of the interviewed protagonist and not those of the organisation he/she works for. The facts and opinions appearing in the answers do not reflect the views of Indiastat or that of the interviewer. Indiastat does not hold any responsibility or liability for the same.
Strengthening India's Defence through Indigenous Production and Hybrid Threat Mitigation... Read more