India's 2025 Security Doctrine: Indigenous Naval Power, Fragile Peace in Manipur, and Global Military Diplomacy

India’s national security framework is undergoing a profound and accelerated transformation, a strategic recalibration necessitated by a complex interplay of geopolitical rivalries, persistent internal conflicts, and the imperative of technological self-reliance. This evolving doctrine is not a monolithic policy but a multi-pronged strategy manifesting across three critical verticals: the aggressive modernization of its armed forces through indigenous manufacturing (Atmanirbhar Bharat), the delicate and often precarious management of internal security challenges, and the expansion of its strategic footprint through proactive international military diplomacy. Recent developments in late 2024 and 2025, from the launch of advanced anti-submarine warships to the painstaking renegotiation of peace accords in the Northeast and participation in high-stakes global military drills, provide a clear blueprint of this dynamic and assertive strategic posture. This comprehensive analysis delves into these core pillars, examining their components, implications, and the intricate web of challenges and opportunities they present for India’s rise as a leading power in the 21st century.

Pillar 1: Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence – The ASW SWC Project and Maritime Dominance

The cornerstone of India’s contemporary military modernization is the principle of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India). This policy has found its most potent expression in the defense sector, aiming to reduce critical import dependencies, foster a domestic defense-industrial ecosystem, and position India as a net exporter of military hardware. A flagship example of this strategy in action is the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) project, a critical initiative designed to bolster the Indian Navy’s coastal defense capabilities and address the growing sub-surface threat in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

These state-of-the-art vessels are being developed to replace the aging Soviet-era Abhay-class corvettes, which have served as the Navy’s primary shallow-water ASW platforms for over three decades. The operational requirement for the ASW SWC fleet is multifaceted: to conduct sub-surface surveillance in littoral (coastal) zones, carry out coordinated anti-submarine warfare operations with naval aircraft and other surface vessels, engage enemy submarines, and perform ancillary duties such as mine-laying and low-intensity maritime operations (LIMO). Their design is specifically optimized for the unique challenges of shallow-water environments, where acoustic conditions are complex and maneuverability is paramount.

A significant milestone in this project was the launch of INS ‘Androth’ in March 2023, the second of eight such vessels being constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata. This followed the launch of the lead ship of the class, INS ‘Arnala’, in December 2022. The ‘Arnala’ was formally commissioned into the Indian Navy in June 2025, marking the official induction of this new class of warship into active service. The entire project is a monumental undertaking, comprising a total of 16 vessels, with the contract strategically split between two of India’s premier public-sector shipyards: GRSE, which is building eight ships, and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), which is responsible for the remaining eight. This dual-shipyard approach not only accelerates the delivery timeline but also builds redundant capacity and expertise within the national shipbuilding industry. The rapid progress was further underscored by CSL’s launch of the fourth and fifth ships of its series, ‘Malpe’ and ‘Mulki’, in a single ceremony in September 2024, demonstrating a mature and efficient production line.

Fun Fact: The names of the Arnala-class ships—Arnala, Androth, Anjadip, Amini, Malpe, Mulki, etc.—are all derived from strategic islands along the Indian coast. This naming convention not only grounds the fleet in India’s maritime geography but also symbolizes their primary role as guardians of the nation’s extensive 7,516-kilometer coastline.

The ASW SWC project is a testament to the success of the indigenization drive, with the Ministry of Defence confirming that these ships feature over 80% indigenous content. This is a remarkable achievement, encompassing the entire spectrum of naval architecture, from the hull and propulsion systems to the complex web of sensors and weaponry. The ships are propelled by powerful waterjets, which provide them with superior maneuverability in confined waters compared to traditional propeller-based systems. Their combat suite is a blend of cutting-edge indigenous and imported technologies. The primary weapon systems include locally manufactured lightweight torpedoes, likely a variant of the Varunastra heavyweight torpedo, and indigenous ASW rocket launchers (likely an advanced version of the RBU-6000), which can saturate a suspected submarine location with depth charges. The sensor package is arguably the most critical component. It includes a highly sophisticated, locally developed hull-mounted sonar and a low-frequency variable depth sonar (VDS), both crucial for detecting the ultra-quiet diesel-electric and nuclear submarines that increasingly populate the IOR.

The strategic imperative for the ASW SWC project cannot be overstated. The IOR has transformed into a theatre of intense geopolitical competition, with China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) significantly increasing its submarine patrols and underwater deployments. These Chinese submarines, often deployed under the guise of anti-piracy missions, pose a direct threat to India’s maritime interests, including its sea lines of communication (SLOCs) and its naval assets. The ASW SWC fleet acts as a critical layer in India’s anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) strategy in the littoral, providing persistent surveillance and a rapid response capability to deter or neutralize these sub-surface threats close to the Indian coast. This capability is a core component of India’s broader SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine, which envisions India as a net security provider, ensuring stability and freedom of navigation in the IOR.

Mnemonic for Core Pillars of SAGAR Doctrine: “MARITIME”

• Mutual Trust and Transparency
• Assistance in Maritime Security
• Respect for International Law
• Integrated and Cooperative Focus
• Tackling Common Maritime Threats
• Infrastructure and Economic Development
• Managing and Sustaining Marine Resources
• Engaging with all regional partners

Pillar 2: Internal Security – The Fragile Peace and Renewed Pact in Manipur

While bolstering its external defense capabilities, India continues to grapple with complex and deeply entrenched internal security challenges. The situation in the northeastern state of Manipur serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance required to manage ethnic conflicts, historical grievances, and armed insurgency. A pivotal development in this arena has been the recent handling of the tripartite Suspension of Operation (SoO) Agreement, a ceasefire pact involving the Central Government, the Government of Manipur, and two umbrella organizations of Kuki-Zo insurgent groups—the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF).

The original SoO agreement, first signed in 2008, was designed to bring these armed groups into the political mainstream by providing a framework for dialogue. Under the pact, the insurgent cadres were to be confined to designated camps, their weapons stored in locked armories under a double-locking system, and the security forces would halt offensive operations against them. In return, the cadres received a monthly stipend, and their leaders engaged in political talks with the government. However, this delicate arrangement was shattered by the widespread ethnic violence that erupted between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in May 2023. The conflict, which resulted in hundreds of deaths, widespread arson, and the displacement of tens of thousands of people, rendered the existing SoO agreement practically defunct. Kuki-Zo groups were accused of violating the ground rules by participating in the violence, and the trust between the signatories evaporated.

After a prolonged period of abeyance and intense back-channel negotiations, a renewed SoO pact was formally signed in September 2025. This new agreement is not merely an extension of the old one; it is a complete recalibration reflecting the harsh lessons learned from the 2023 violence. The 2025 pact incorporates significantly stricter terms and a more robust monitoring mechanism aimed at preventing future escalations and ensuring accountability.

Captivating Stat: Manipur, a state with a population of just over 3 million, is home to more than 35 distinct ethnic communities, including the majority Meiteis who primarily inhabit the Imphal Valley, and the various Naga and Kuki-Zo tribes who predominantly reside in the surrounding hill districts. This incredible demographic diversity is both a source of cultural richness and a driver of political and social friction over land, resources, and identity.

The revised ground rules of the 2025 SoO agreement are designed to plug the loopholes of the previous pact. Key new provisions include:

1. Relocation of Designated Camps: All designated camps housing the cadres must be relocated away from populated areas, national highways, and the sensitive buffer zones separating Meitei and Kuki-Zo habitations. This is a direct response to allegations that camps were used as staging grounds for attacks during the 2023 violence.
2. Biometric and Aadhaar-Linked Stipends: To prevent the phenomenon of “ghost cadres” and ensure that financial assistance reaches only genuine members, all stipend payments are now to be made through Aadhaar-linked bank accounts, with mandatory biometric verification.
3. Enhanced Joint Monitoring: The Joint Monitoring Group (JMG), comprising representatives from the security forces, state government, and the Kuki-Zo groups, has been empowered with greater authority. It will conduct more frequent and unannounced inspections of the camps and armories.
4. GPS Tracking of Leaders: Senior leaders of the signatory groups are now required to have GPS tracking devices or apps on their persons or vehicles, allowing security forces to monitor their movements and ensure they are not involved in instigating violence or illegal activities.

The renewal of the SoO pact, albeit with stricter conditions, is a pragmatic step by the government. It acknowledges that while the ultimate goal is the complete disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) of these groups, a monitored ceasefire is preferable to an all-out armed conflict. For the Kuki-Zo groups, it provides a channel for political negotiation and a degree of security for their cadres. However, the path to lasting peace remains fraught with challenges. The deep-seated animosity between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities persists, the demand for a “Separate Administration” by the Kuki-Zo groups remains a major sticking point, and the proliferation of weapons in civilian hands since the 2023 violence poses a constant threat to stability. The success of the 2025 pact will depend not just on the enforcement of its rules, but on the parallel progress of a broader political dialogue that addresses the core grievances of all communities in Manipur.

Pillar 3: Global Military Diplomacy – Projecting Power and Building Partnerships

The third pillar of India’s security strategy is its increasingly assertive and sophisticated military diplomacy. Moving beyond its traditional non-aligned posture, India is now actively engaging in a web of bilateral and multilateral military exercises to enhance interoperability, build strategic trust, and signal its intent to play a larger role in regional and global security. These exercises are a powerful tool of statecraft, allowing India to project power, learn best practices from the world’s most advanced militaries, and build coalitions to counter shared threats.

India’s military exercises can be broadly categorized:

• Bilateral Exercises: These are conducted with a single partner nation and are often the most intensive, focusing on deep integration of forces.
• Multilateral Exercises: These involve three or more nations and are crucial for building broader coalitions and addressing transnational security challenges.
• Domestic Exercises: These are large-scale drills conducted by the Indian military to validate its war-fighting doctrines and test new equipment.

A key focus of India’s military diplomacy is the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), an informal strategic forum comprising India, the United States, Japan, and Australia. The centerpiece of the Quad’s military cooperation is the Malabar naval exercise. Originally a bilateral exercise between India and the US, it has expanded to include Japan (2015) and Australia (2020). The 2025 edition of Malabar, hosted by Japan, saw complex drills involving aircraft carriers, destroyers, submarines, and maritime patrol aircraft from all four nations, focusing on advanced anti-submarine warfare, air defense, and maritime interdiction operations. The exercise sends a clear signal of the Quad’s commitment to a “free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific,” a thinly veiled counter to China’s growing assertiveness in the region.

Beyond the Quad, India maintains a robust schedule of exercises with key partners.

• With the United States: The Yudh Abhyas (Army) and Vajra Prahar (Special Forces) exercises are annual fixtures. The 2025 edition of Yudh Abhyas, held in Alaska, focused on high-altitude warfare and peacekeeping operations under a UN mandate, enhancing interoperability in extreme cold-weather conditions.
• With France: The Varuna (Navy), Garuda (Air Force), and Shakti (Army) exercises form the bedrock of the Indo-French strategic partnership. The 2024 Varuna exercise in the Arabian Sea saw the participation of the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and the Indian carrier INS Vikramaditya, practicing complex dual-carrier battle group operations.
• With Russia: Despite its growing proximity to the West, India continues to engage with its traditional defense partner, Russia. It participates in exercises like Indra (tri-service) and the multilateral Zapad exercise, which is part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) framework. India’s participation in the Zapad 2025 exercise, however, was carefully calibrated, with the Indian contingent participating only in the counter-terrorism modules and staying away from drills that could be interpreted as directed against any third country.
• With Regional Partners: India also conducts numerous exercises with its neighbors and partners in the IOR, such as Maitree (Thailand), SLINEX (Sri Lanka), and SIMBEX (Singapore), to build regional capacity and foster goodwill.

Illustrative Analogy: India’s military diplomacy is like a master weaver creating a complex tapestry. Each thread is a bilateral or multilateral exercise. Some threads, like the one with the US (Yudh Abhyas), are thick and strong. Others, like with Singapore (SIMBEX), are finer but essential for the overall pattern. The final tapestry is a web of strategic partnerships that provides strength, flexibility, and a formidable presence on the global stage.

This proactive military diplomacy serves multiple strategic objectives. It enhances the professional capabilities of the Indian armed forces, provides them with exposure to different operational philosophies and technologies, and builds the personal relationships between military leaders that are crucial in times of crisis. Most importantly, it reinforces India’s foreign policy goals, signaling its alignment with democratic powers, its commitment to a rules-based international order, and its readiness to shoulder greater responsibility for regional security.

Comparative Analysis of Key Indian Military Exercises

Critical Policy Appraisal

** Analytical Lens: UPSC Focus (Mains & Prelims)**

Conceptual Basis: The legal and constitutional foundation of India’s national security apparatus is anchored in several key provisions of the Constitution of India. Article 53(2) vests the supreme command of the Defence Forces of the Union in the President of India, to be exercised in accordance with the law. More broadly, Article 355 imposes a duty on the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that the government of every State is carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. This article provides the constitutional justification for Central intervention in matters of internal security, such as the situation in Manipur.

UPSC Integration: Connecting the Dots

• GS Paper 2 (Polity, Governance & IR): The entire topic is central to GS-2. The renewal of the SoO pact in Manipur relates directly to ‘Governance’ and ‘Federalism’. India’s military exercises (Malabar, Varuna) are a core component of ‘International Relations’ and its policies towards major powers and regional groupings.
• GS Paper 3 (Internal Security, Economy & S&T): The ASW SWC project is a prime example for ‘Indigenization of Technology’ and ‘Defence’. The Manipur conflict is a classic case study for ‘Linkages between Development and Spread of Extremism’ and ‘Role of External State and Non-State Actors in Creating Challenges to Internal Security’. The defense budget and its impact on the economy are key aspects of ‘Indian Economy’.
• GS Paper 1 (Post-Independence History): Understanding the historical roots of the Naga and Kuki insurgencies and the evolution of ethnic identities in the Northeast is crucial for a complete perspective, linking the topic to post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.

Long-Term Future Impact and Policy Relevance: The confluence of these three pillars—indigenization, internal stability, and international diplomacy—will define India’s strategic trajectory for the next decade. The future of national security will be increasingly dominated by technology. The focus will shift from conventional warfare to a hybrid model encompassing cyber warfare, space militarization, artificial intelligence (AI) in combat, and information warfare. India’s ability to develop domestic capabilities in these niche areas will be the true test of Atmanirbhar Bharat. The success of resolving internal conflicts like in Manipur is critical, as protracted instability acts as a strategic drag, preventing India from focusing its full attention on external threats. Finally, India’s diplomatic tightrope walk, balancing its relationships with competing power blocs (the West and Russia), will become even more complex. The long-term policy challenge is to create a truly integrated national security strategy where the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of External Affairs, and Ministry of Home Affairs work in seamless coordination.

Prelims Practice Question (MCQ):

Which of the following pairs of Indian military exercises and their primary partner countries is correctly matched?

1. Varuna - United States
2. Yudh Abhyas - France
3. Malabar - Russia
4. Shakti - France

Answer and Explanation: Correct Answer: 4. Shakti - France

• Explanation:
  • 1 is incorrect: Varuna is the naval exercise conducted with France.
  • 2 is incorrect: Yudh Abhyas is the army exercise conducted with the United States.
  • 3 is incorrect: Malabar is a multilateral naval exercise involving India, the US, Japan, and Australia (the Quad nations).
  • 4 is correct: Shakti is the bilateral army exercise between India and France.

Mains Sample Question:

“Critically analyze the role of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative in transforming India’s defense capabilities. To what extent has this policy enhanced India’s strategic autonomy and its position as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region?” (15 Marks, 250 Words)

Mind Map Outline (Revision Structure)

• India’s Evolving Security Doctrine (2025)
  • Pillar 1: Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence
    • Core Policy: Self-Reliant India initiative.
    • Flagship Project: ASW SWC (Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft)
      • Objective: Replace aging Abhay-class corvettes; bolster coastal defense.
      • Key Vessels:
        • INS ‘Arnala’ (Lead Ship, commissioned June 2025)
        • INS ‘Androth’ (Launched March 2023)
      • Shipbuilders:
        • Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE)
        • Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL)
      • Features & Capabilities:
        • Over 80% indigenous content.
        • Waterjet propulsion.
        • Indigenous torpedoes and rocket launchers.
        • Hull-mounted and Variable Depth Sonar (VDS).
    • Strategic Context:
      • Countering Chinese submarine threat in the IOR.
      • Alignment with SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine.
  • Pillar 2: Internal Security Management
    • Case Study: Manipur Conflict
      • Historical Context: Meitei vs. Kuki-Zo ethnic tensions.
      • Suspension of Operation (SoO) Agreement:
        • Original Pact (2008) and its failure during 2023 violence.
        • Renewed SoO Pact (September 2025):
          • Signatories: Centre, State Govt, KNO, UPF.
          • Stricter Ground Rules:
            • Relocation of camps.
            • Aadhaar-linked biometric stipends.
            • Enhanced Joint Monitoring Group (JMG).
            • GPS tracking for leaders.
      • Challenges: Deep-seated animosity, demand for separate administration, proliferation of arms.
  • Pillar 3: Global Military Diplomacy
    • Objective: Enhance interoperability, build strategic trust, project power.
    • Key Multilateral Engagements:
      • Malabar (Quad): With USA, Japan, Australia. Focus on Indo-Pacific security.
      • Zapad (SCO): With Russia, China, etc. Focus on counter-terrorism.
    • Key Bilateral Exercises:
      • USA: Yudh Abhyas (Army), Vajra Prahar (Special Forces).
      • France: Varuna (Navy), Garuda (Air Force), Shakti (Army).
      • Regional: Maitree (Thailand), SLINEX (Sri Lanka), SIMBEX (Singapore).
    • Strategic Goal: Position India as a ‘Net Security Provider’.
  • UPSC Analytical Focus
    • Constitutional Basis: Article 53(2), Article 355.
    • Inter-Topic Linkages:
      • GS-2: IR, Governance, Federalism.
      • GS-3: Internal Security, Defence Tech, Economy.
      • GS-1: Post-Independence History.
    • Future Trends: Cyber Warfare, Space, AI in combat.
    • Practice Questions: MCQ on exercises, Mains question on Atmanirbhar Bharat.