Defence and Military Affairs

Comprehensive analysis of India’s armed forces modernization, defence reforms, operational readiness, procurement strategy, and evolving military doctrine.

Major General (Dr.) S. B. Asthana (Veteran) standing at a podium delivering a strategic keynote on India's Security Policy at the Atal–Kalam Research Park, Ahmedabad.

India’s Security Policy: From Regional Security to Global Stability

It was an honour to deliver a talk at the National Seminar organised by Bharatiya Vichar Manch and Gujarat University on the theme “India’s Global Role: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” at the prestigious Atal–Kalam Research Park, Karnavati, Ahmedabad, on 16 February 2026.

The seminar brought together scholars, researchers, strategic thinkers, academicians, and enlightened citizens from various parts of India for a meaningful deliberation on India’s evolving global role and strategic trajectory in an increasingly turbulent world order. I spoke on “India’s Security Policy: From Regional Security to Global Stability,” examining India’s geopolitical security perspective, military capabilities, and the interplay of hard power, soft power, and smart power.The discussions reflected both intellectual depth and national commitment towards understanding India’s emergence as a responsible global power.

I had the privilege of speaking on the subject “India’s Security Policy: From Regional Security to Global Stability.” The deliberation focused on the evolution of India’s strategic outlook, the changing geopolitical environment, the nature of contemporary conflicts, and the role of India as a stabilising force amid global uncertainty. The discussion also covered India’s strategic conduct in the context of past and present wars, diplomacy, and its relations with Pakistan, China, and the United States. The session concluded with a lively and engaging question-and-answer interaction.

Coexistence as Strategy in the India–China Reboot

My latest article in Business Standard Blueprint (Defence & Geopolitics) analyses how and why India and China have moved towards a limited tactical reset since late 2025. I argue that the current engagement “is a product of necessity amid global turbulence, not trust” and is best seen as “cautious re‑engagement, not reconciliation.” The reset offers breathing space from US tariff pressures and global uncertainty, but it does not resolve the underlying structural rivalry or the unresolved boundary dispute.

The War of Narratives: Towards an Indian Doctrine for Information and Narrative Warfare

The War of Narratives: Towards an Indian Doctrine for Information and Narrative Warfare By Major General (Dr.) S. B. Asthana, SM, VSM, PhD (Veteran)International Strategic and Military Analyst “Integrating strategic communication and media including social media with kinetic war has…

India and UN Peacekeeping: Eight Decades of Commitment, Courage, and Credibility

Sharing an analysis of mine on the topic published in Journal Blueprint, Business Standard, Print Edition, December 2025, Volume 1, Issue 4, December Edition, titled “Duty Not Dominance: Eight decades of India’s UN Commitment”. I am reproducing the article to…

Chinese Impact on Security Dynamics of North East Region of India

Sharing an article of mine published in the book titled ‘External Dimensions of Security of the North East Region‘, published by Indian Council of World Affairs, Edited by Dr Temzenmeren Ao. Publisher- KW Publishers Pvt Ltd, dated 18 July 2021.…

How Secure will India be in 2021?

Sharing with friends my analysis regarding How secure India will be in 2021? covering most facets of security. It was published in three parts in The Daily Guardian over three days. I am sharing the updated version of entire analysis…