Introduction
India’s national security landscape has long been shaped by conventional or traditional threats emanating from state actors, territorial disputes, and military confrontations. These threats demand sustained focus from policymakers, defense planners, and strategic thinkers. As one of the world’s largest democracies and a rising global power, India must continuously reassess these threats and enhance its preparedness.
1. Hostile Neighbours and Border Disputes
a. Pakistan
India's western neighbor, Pakistan, remains one of the most persistent traditional threats. The legacy of partition, the Kashmir conflict, and four wars (1947, 1965, 1971, and 1999) have shaped Indo-Pak relations. While overt military confrontations have reduced post-Kargil, the threat of conventional war remains due to:
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Pakistan’s nuclear posture and doctrines (like Full Spectrum Deterrence)
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Deployment of tactical nuclear weapons
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Continued state-sponsored terrorism across the Line of Control (LoC)
b. China
China represents a formidable traditional threat due to:
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A long-standing boundary dispute, especially in Arunachal Pradesh and Eastern Ladakh
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Aggressive posturing and PLA intrusions (e.g., 2020 Galwan clashes)
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Rapid military modernization and infrastructure build-up along the LAC
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Strategic encirclement through the “String of Pearls” and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
2. Conventional Military Threats
India's traditional security threats are rooted in the possibility of large-scale military confrontation involving:
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Mechanized ground offensives in Rajasthan and Punjab
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Air superiority contests over the western and northern fronts
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Naval confrontations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
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Cross-border incursions and prolonged standoffs
The need for sustained military modernization, technological upgrades, and tri-service synergy remains a critical national priority.
3. Nuclear and Missile Threats
India faces a complex nuclear environment:
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Pakistan has a first-use nuclear doctrine and maintains a growing arsenal of tactical nuclear weapons.
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China has significant nuclear and missile capabilities, with DF-series missiles capable of reaching any Indian city.
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The presence of nuclear weapons in a volatile region heightens the risk of miscalculation and escalation, particularly in the absence of robust crisis communication mechanisms.
India’s nuclear doctrine of "No First Use" and "Credible Minimum Deterrence" is aimed at maintaining strategic stability, but continuous vigilance is essential.
4. Maritime Security Challenges
India’s increasing reliance on sea trade and energy imports makes maritime security a key traditional concern:
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Threats from Chinese naval expansion and submarine deployments in the IOR
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Vulnerability of Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs)
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Piracy, illegal fishing, and maritime terrorism (as seen in the 26/11 Mumbai attack)
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Naval build-up by adversaries and their presence at chokepoints like the Strait of Malacca and Gwadar
India’s growing blue water navy and initiatives like SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) aim to counter these threats.
5. Internal Security with External Linkages
While often considered non-traditional, many internal threats have external sponsorship:
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Cross-border infiltration and arms supply to insurgent groups in Kashmir
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Linkages between Left Wing Extremism and foreign Maoist organizations
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Foreign intelligence agencies supporting destabilizing narratives and protests
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Narco-terrorism originating from Pakistan and the Golden Crescent
These factors blur the line between internal and traditional threats and necessitate coordination between internal and external security agencies.
6. Defense Industrial Dependence
A traditional vulnerability has been India's dependence on foreign military imports:
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Heavy reliance on Russian, Israeli, French, and American equipment
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Vulnerability to geopolitical shifts and sanctions
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Limited indigenous defense manufacturing until recently
The “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives aim to reduce this dependence, but progress must be sustained through private sector participation and R&D investments.
Conclusion
Traditional threats to Indian national security remain complex, evolving, and deeply entrenched in the geopolitical realities of South Asia and the Indo-Pacific. The twin challenges of a belligerent Pakistan and an assertive China define India's strategic calculus. While non-traditional and hybrid threats are gaining prominence, traditional threats still require a robust and modern military posture, sound diplomacy, and national unity.
A strong, self-reliant defense sector, credible deterrence, strategic partnerships, and enhanced domain awareness across land, air, sea, and space are crucial for safeguarding India’s national interests in this traditional threat environment.
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