Abstract
The Cold Start Doctrine formulated by Indian strategists in the wake of
South Asia’s nuclearisation and the Kargil episode can be described as a
product of the 2001-02 military stand-off with Pakistan. It is designed to
exploit the strategic space between a nuclear and a Low Intensity Conflict
termed as a “limited war under nuclear overhang.” The doctrine envisages a
mechanized blitzkrieg operation by integrated battle groups launching a
short land incursion of 72-96 hours duration. It is a theoretical construct of
tactics employed by NATO and Israel in different conflicts. For such an
exercise the Indian armed forces would need to develop capabilities to be able
to execute a synchronized manoeuvre that disrupts enemy lines of
communication and forces them into a distorted and chaotic response. In the
pursuit of this doctrine India is facing many military hardware challenges.
The paper analyzes the doctrine in the framework of Deterrence and
Compellence theories keeping in view the crises between India and Pakistan
and throws light on the strategic stability of South Asia after the induction
of the Cold Start chapter in India-Pakistan relations.
Sannia Abdullah. (2012) Cold Start In Strategic Calculus , IPRI Journal, Volume-12, Issue-1.
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