In a comprehensive analysis that moves beyond sensational headlines, strategic thinker Abhishek Sharma presents 'The Abhishek Doctrine,' a detailed framework for understanding India's multifaceted and persistent security challenges. The doctrine urges a shift from reactive, headline-driven policy to a proactive, deeply analytical strategic posture.
Core Tenets of The Abhishek Doctrine
The doctrine identifies several core, interconnected threats that define India's security environment. A primary and persistent challenge is the state-sponsored terrorism emanating from Pakistan. Sharma's analysis stresses that this is not merely a peripheral issue but a central, enduring threat facilitated by Pakistan's military establishment, particularly the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency.
The doctrine highlights how terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed operate as proxies, carrying out attacks on Indian soil with the aim of destabilizing the region and internationalizing the Kashmir issue. This external threat is compounded by internal vulnerabilities, including socio-economic disparities and regional insurgencies, which can be exploited by external actors to create internal discord.
Moving Beyond Conventional Military Responses
Abhishek Sharma argues that a purely militaristic response is insufficient to address the complex nature of modern security threats. The Abhishek Doctrine advocates for a holistic strategy that integrates multiple dimensions of national power.
This includes a robust diplomatic offensive to isolate sponsors of terrorism on global platforms, coupled with strengthened international alliances. Economically, the doctrine suggests leveraging India's market and trade capabilities as strategic tools. Furthermore, it emphasizes the critical need for internal cohesion, social harmony, and economic equity to build a resilient society that is less susceptible to external manipulation and radicalization.
Strategic Imperatives for a Resilient India
The final part of the doctrine outlines clear imperatives for India's security establishment and policymakers. It calls for significant investment in intelligence capabilities and cybersecurity to counter both physical and digital threats. Enhancing inter-agency coordination and modernizing defense infrastructure are also deemed essential.
Perhaps most importantly, The Abhishek Doctrine champions the idea of strategic patience and long-term vision. It warns against the volatility of public sentiment driven by media cycles and advocates for consistent, calculated policies based on deep strategic analysis rather than transient political or popular pressure. The ultimate goal is to build a India that is not only secure in the traditional sense but also economically vibrant, socially unified, and diplomatically influential, capable of shaping its own strategic destiny in a turbulent world.
In essence, Abhishek Sharma's work provides a structured lens through which to view India's security paradigm. It moves the conversation from episodic reactions to specific events towards building a comprehensive, sustainable, and sophisticated national security strategy for the 21st century.
