Vijay Diwas to Modernization: India’s Military Odyssey and Future Strategies

Team Udayavani, Dec 16, 2023, 12:44 PM IST

Vijay Diwas, observed on December 16, commemorates India’s 1971 victory over Pakistan, liberating Bangladesh. The valor of the Indian Armed Forces led to the surrender of about 93,000 Pakistani soldiers, with around 3,000 Indian soldiers sacrificing their lives. This historic triumph symbolizes the strength and resilience of the Indian military, playing a pivotal role in the creation of Bangladesh. Lieutenant General A.A.K. Niazi represented Pakistan during the surrender, while Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora led the Indian Armed Forces, marking the decisive victory and the birth of a new nation.

The Indian Armed Forces have fought six big conflicts since the 1950s.

The first conflict was with the Portuguese. The Indian military campaign captured Goa, Daman and Diu, and the Anjediva Islands. Operation Vjay took place from December 17 to December 19, 1961. During the battle, the Indian Armed Forces defeated a European country and a NATO member.

The Indian Army suffered a humiliating loss to China in 1962 (since the other two forces were not deployed). After that, the leadership in India started to prioritise the expansion of their military. Results were visible in the subsequent wars.

A confrontation between India and Pakistan over the sovereignty of the state of Jammu and Kashmir occurred in 1965. A United Nations resolution and a freeze on arms sales had an immediate impact. The ceasefire was recognised by India on September 21 and by Pakistan on September 22. The ceasefire did not resolve the status of Kashmir, and both parties agreed to use the Soviet Union as a third-party mediator. Tashkent talks ended in January 1966, with both sides abandoning territorial claims and removing their soldiers from the disputed zone.

In 1971, India and Pakistan were again at war. Conflicting outcomes were achieved by engagements in the Western theatre of operations during the. On the other hand, in the eastern sector close to Dhaka, Pakistani forces were trapped and eventually surrendered to Indian forces. The broad front military operations spanning fourteen days concluded on December 17, wherein the Pakistani armed forces capitulated at the instigation of India. India emerged victorious in its 1971 conflict with Pakistan.

The Indian Armed Forces were dispatched to Sri Lanka on a peacekeeping mission in 1987. They had modest success in their activities in Sri Lanka in 1987. This was primarily due to political inability to define their position.

The Kargil War was fought between India and Pakistan in 1999. The Pakistan Army capitalised on the melting snow. It seized control of strategic outposts of India in violation of the bilateral agreement between the two nations that the post would remain unattended throughout the winter. The Pakistan Army initially denied complicity in the conflict, attributing it to autonomous Kashmiri rebel forces. However, evidence discovered in abandoned documents and subsequent statements by the Pakistani Prime Minister and Chief of Army Staff exposed the participation of Pakistani paramilitary forces, which General Ashraf Rashid commanded. The Kargil War concluded with India regaining control of the post and expelling the Pakistani army from the area, resulting in casualties on both sides.

In recent years, tensions and skirmishes with the Chinese Army along the northern frontier have escalated, resulting in a buildup in that sector as well as against Pakistan, with the Jammu and Kashmir territories constituting a common area of tensions.

How the Armed Forces Changed

In 1971, the Indian Armed Forces comprised an estimated one million active personnel, who were apportioned among the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Its strength was comparable in 1999 at approximately one million, but technological expertise and specialisation within each branch had grown substantially. By 2023, the armed forces have about 1.4 million active personnel and have made significant technological strides. The Indian armed forces rank as the second-largest volunteer army globally.

Exceptionally skilled personnel are present in each branch of the Indian military—the Indian Navy, Air Force, Army, and Coast Guard. Units of special forces such as the MARCOS and Para Commandos are renowned for their counterterrorism prowess and exceptional capabilities.

Stronger emphasis on indigenisation, as evidenced by initiatives such as “Make in India” that augment domestic arms manufacturing. Cutting-edge warships, Tejas MK-1A fighter jets, Arihant class nuclear submarines, Vikrant class aircraft carriers, Brahmos Missiles, ATAGS, and other sophisticated armament and equipment examples are globally recognised.

Although there is a constant push for indigenisation, and progress is being made, but the country is still heavily reliant on imports, especially for high-tech weapons.

India intends to expand its military capabilities despite its desire to be a peaceful nation. This is because India’s neighbouring country, Pakistan, is hostile, and China is on the rise, both of which could pose a threat to India’s internal security. India may be confident in the chaotic world if it can protect its national interests with power.

Diplomacy is among the most important factors in ensuring the nation’s safety. The Non-Alignment strategy that was implemented by the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, has not been abandoned by India, but the country is now more inclined towards the United States than Russia, the successor of the Soviet Union.

India collaborates with the United States to foster regional stability and security. In the realm of military technologies, the two nations engage in regular information exchange and conduct joint military exercises. However, despite the growing collaboration, the diplomatic ties between the United States and India remain inconsistent.

India’s contemporary diplomacy is marked by its aggressive involvement in regional and international affairs, pursuit of strategic alliances, advocacy for global causes, and demonstration of its leading position in the international arena. By engaging in diplomatic efforts, the nation offers significant opportunities to change the regional and global order while simultaneously encountering challenges in navigating complex geopolitical processes.

India’s military strategy going forward will likely involve a complex blend of modernisation, regional participation, and technology developments. This endeavour aims to build a highly skilled, adaptable, and equipped force to defend national interests, fend off potential threats, and advance regional and global peace and stability.

Girish Linganna
Aerospace & Defence Analyst