Articles By Maj Gen Rajiv Narayanan, AVSM, VSM
India’s CDS 2.0 & the Integrated Theatre Commands: Challenges and Prospects
By: Maj Gen Rajiv Narayanan, AVSM, VSM | Date: 04 Jun , 2022
General The tragic and untimely demise of Gen Bipin Rawat, India’s first CDS and the delay by the government in announcing his successor has led to many speculations in the media about not only...
Quo Vadis Xi?
By: Maj Gen Rajiv Narayanan, AVSM, VSM | Date: 16 May , 2022
Never have the nations felt the tremors of change like it does today due to the impact of the Rise of China. Post WW-II, USA replaced UK as the leading power of the World, but there were no major...
Assessing China’s Strategic Behaviour During Republic Day and the...
By: Maj Gen Rajiv Narayanan, AVSM, VSM | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 17 Jan , 2018
A ‘rising and revanchist’ China has finally discarded from its lexicon the terms ‘Peaceful Rise’ and ‘Harmonious Rise’, as witnessed both during Xi Jinping’s address to the 19th...
Integrated Simulators for Training of Mechanised Forces: The Way Ahead
By: Maj Gen Rajiv Narayanan, AVSM, VSM | Issue: Vol. 32.4 Oct-Dec 2017 | Date: 08 Jan , 2018
As India improves its economic index, areas available for conduct of large scale exercises will become even more restricted. Furthermore, the need for modernisation, force sustenance, capability...
Doklam, BRICS and Beyond: Assessing China’s Response
By: Maj Gen Rajiv Narayanan, AVSM, VSM | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 03 Oct , 2017
“Strategy 11 ‘李代桃僵’ – Plum tree sacrificed for the peach tree (Sacrifice the silver to keep the gold). There are circumstances in which you must sacrifice short-term objectives in...
An Integrated Indian Military Strategy - 2040: A Perspective (Part-V)
By: Maj Gen Rajiv Narayanan, AVSM, VSM | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 18 Jul , 2017
Conclusion The clear and present dangers that India faces across both its unresolved borders are as different as chalk from cheese. Hence there cannot be a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution to...
An Integrated Indian Military Strategy - 2040: A Perspective (Part-IV)
By: Maj Gen Rajiv Narayanan, AVSM, VSM | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 17 Jul , 2017
Section – IV: – Recommended Force Structures, Force Reallocation and Procurement Priorities Recommended Force Structures General Jointness, Interoperability, Joint Operations, Integrated...
An Integrated Indian Military Strategy - 2040: A Perspective (Part-III)
By: Maj Gen Rajiv Narayanan, AVSM, VSM | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 16 Jul , 2017
Section – III: – Options For a Two Front Strategy This is the ‘nightmare’ scenario for India, wherein both China and Pakistan co-operate for a joint war against India. While it is unlikely...
An Integrated Indian Military Strategy - 2040: A Perspective (Part-II)
By: Maj Gen Rajiv Narayanan, AVSM, VSM | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 15 Jul , 2017
Section – II: – Strategy for The Northern Borders Northern Front: Military Objectives To counter a rising India and ensure a ‘Unipolar Asia’ under its stewardship, China would aim to...
An Integrated Indian Military Strategy - 2040: A Perspective (Part-I)
By: Maj Gen Rajiv Narayanan, AVSM, VSM | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 14 Jul , 2017
India has the unique distinction of being the only country facing a visceral enemy on its Western flank and an intractable foe along its Northern borders, each with a different set of political...
India-China Doklam Plateau Standoff: A ‘Wei Qi’ Perspective
By: Maj Gen Rajiv Narayanan, AVSM, VSM | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 08 Jul , 2017
The current stand-off should be seen in Bhutan should be seen in the larger perspective of China’s strategy in the region based on the rules of its ancient game of ‘Wei Qi’ or Go – an...
South China Sea Imbroglio: PLA’s Grand Strategy of ‘Unrestricted Warfare’
By: Maj Gen Rajiv Narayanan, AVSM, VSM | Issue: Vol. 31.4 Oct-Dec 2016 | Date: 23 Feb , 2017
For India, these are crucial times, and it should ensure ASEAN solidarity and a joint response to this imbroglio, a united front of South China Sea claimants (the Philippines, Vietnam,...
Revitalising Indian Governance
By: Maj Gen Rajiv Narayanan, AVSM, VSM | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 08 Oct , 2016
Even as India has begun its quest to be a major power, desiring a marked increase in its Comprehensive National Power (CNP), it is hampered by its governance model. The current model is a British...
The new Modi Doctrine for the Armed Forces
By: Maj Gen Rajiv Narayanan, AVSM, VSM | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 05 Oct , 2016
During a TV discussions about the new Modi Doctrine for the Armed Forces, for operations across the Line of Control, on 02 Oct, the major points mentioned were, • No more ‘pacifism’. •...
Higher Defence Organisation for India: Towards an Integrated Approach
By: Maj Gen Rajiv Narayanan, AVSM, VSM | Issue: Vol. 31.2 Apr-Jun 2016 | Date: 12 Aug , 2016
The restructuring of both the MOD and the Service HQs, with the relevant changes in the AOB/TOB Rules and the creation of the CDS/PCSOC is the need of the hour, if India is to be an effective...
Right Sizing the Military: Political Goals, Military Objectives and Force...
By: Maj Gen Rajiv Narayanan, AVSM, VSM | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 03 Jun , 2016
The COAS has ordered a study on ‘Right Sizing’ the Army with a view to reduce the ‘Teeth – to – Tail Ratio – “the study will comprehensively look at all arms and services, including...
Make In India: Indian Defence Industry – The Road Ahead
By: Maj Gen Rajiv Narayanan, AVSM, VSM | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 25 May , 2016
The PMs vision of ‘Make in India’ and the thrust being given in the Defence Procurement Procedure 2106 to ‘Indian Designed, Developed and Made (IDDM)’ products is a welcome shift from the...