Defence Strategy and Operational Art

Scholarly insights into classical and modern military strategy, operational design, campaign planning, deterrence theory, and strategic decision-making in contemporary conflicts.

Trump, Xi and Cold War 2.0: Managing Rivalry in a Fragmented World

The complex US-China rivalry has evolved into "Cold War 2.0," entailing intertwined economic and strategic interactions amidst military posturing. Presidents Trump and Xi's approaches symbolize contrasting strategies: Trump’s transactional nationalism versus Xi’s strategic continuity. The geopolitical landscape remains multipolar, requiring nations to navigate pressures prudently while fostering selective partnerships and avoiding outright confrontation.

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.

Strategy and Application of Operational Art in Operation Sindoor

As India recalls the dastardly terror attack in Pahalgam claiming lives of 26 civilian tourists, I take the opportunity to share my analysis regarding strategies, application of operational art in Operation Sindoor successfully launched by India. Besides the right strategic…

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.

Evolution of Operational Art and Strategy: Application in Modern Conflicts        

Sharing a chapter of mine published in a book jointly published by United Service Institution of India, New Delhi (Oldest Think Tank in India) and Army War College, Mhow, India, titled “Modern Conflicts and Changing Character of Warfare: Implications for…

“Taiwan in the Crosshairs: Why Xi Jinping’s Reunification Ambitions May Backfire Strategically?”

Introduction In a bold demonstration of its growing defence preparedness, Taiwan concluded its longest-ever Han Kuang military drills on 18 July 2025. Spanning 10 days of intense live-fire exercises, the Taiwanese military rehearsed responses across varied battle spaces—starting with countering…