Published On: 26th May 2025
India’s Strategic Focus
Primary Adversary – China: India identifies China as its foremost strategic challenge. The report indicates that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s defense priorities are geared towards demonstrating global leadership, countering China’s influence, and enhancing military capabilities. This underscores a significant shift in India’s security and foreign policy objectives, focusing more on China than on other regional concerns.
Secondary Concern – Pakistan: While acknowledging ongoing tensions, India perceives Pakistan as a secondary or “ancillary security problem.” This suggests that, despite periodic cross-border incidents, Pakistan is not viewed as a primary threat in India’s national security framework.
Pakistan’s Perception and Military Posture
Viewing India as an Existential Threat: Contrasting India’s stance, Pakistan considers India an “existential threat.” This perception drives Pakistan’s defense strategies, including efforts to modernize its military and develop battlefield nuclear weapons to counterbalance India’s conventional military superiority.
Dependence on China: The report highlights that Pakistan’s military advancements are significantly supported by China, reinforcing the strategic alliance between Islamabad and Beijing. This partnership is pivotal in shaping the regional security dynamics in South Asia.
India’s Defense Relations with Russia
Despite reducing procurement of Russian-origin military equipment, India maintains its defense relationship with Russia. The report notes that India continues to rely on Russian spare parts to sustain its existing inventory of tanks and fighter aircraft, which are crucial for countering perceived threats from China and Pakistan. This ongoing collaboration is seen as a means for India to achieve its economic and defense objectives while offsetting the deepening Russia-China relations.
