Like all major powers in the international system, India pursues a grand strategy that aligns with its ambitions as an emerging great power. Rooted in an ancient civilization and profound cultural heritage, India possesses a distinct strategic culture and its own unique approach to warfare. India’s strategic practice is well documented historically. Seminal texts, such as Kautilya’s Arthashastra, form the foundation of a realist paradigm that continues to shape the nation’s grand strategy today. Furthermore, historically Indian empires—most notably the Cholas—demonstrated a clear grand strategic vision that included power projection and securing crucial Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) across the present-day Indo-Pacific region.
