Guided Astray Populace: India's Strategies in Battle Against Insurgencies
In the latest episode of the Irregular Warfare Podcast (Episode 70), hosts Jeff Phaneuf and Adam Darnley-Stuart delve into the topic of India's approach to counterinsurgency throughout its history. They are joined by esteemed guests Sumit Ganguly and Sajid Shapoo, who offer insights into the philosophical approach, tactical innovations, and differences between internal and expeditionary counterinsurgency operations.
Sumit Ganguly, a distinguished professor of political science at Indiana University Bloomington and the Tagore Chair in Indian Cultures and Civilizations, provides valuable context to the discussion. Sajid Shapoo, a PhD candidate at Princeton University and a highly decorated Indian Police Service officer with twenty-two years of experience in high-profile counterterrorism assignments, shares his in-depth knowledge and personal experiences.
The conversation begins by exploring the historical context of insurgencies in regions like Kashmir, the Northeast, and Punjab. The hosts and guests discuss the strategies used by India, including military action, intelligence gathering, psychological operations, and political measures. They also address the challenges faced, such as difficult terrain, diverse insurgent groups, and the socio-political implications.
The evolution of India's counterinsurgency strategy since 1947 is outlined, highlighting the shift from heavy military approaches to more nuanced counterinsurgency strategies combining development and governance. The Nehruvian approach, which considers insurgent forces as "misguided citizens" instead of sworn enemies, has significantly influenced Indian doctrine. However, the discussion also touches upon the ongoing challenges in balancing security and human rights.
The Irregular Warfare Podcast is a production of the Irregular Warfare Initiative (IWI), a team of volunteers dedicated to bridging the gap between scholars and practitioners in the field of irregular warfare. IWI generates written and audio content, coordinates events for the IW community, and hosts critical thinkers as IWI fellows.
Listeners can engage with the Irregular Warfare Podcast and the IWI on various social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. For those interested in delving deeper into the topic, Episode 70 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast offers a comprehensive and informative discussion on India's approach to counterinsurgency throughout its history.
- Sumit Ganguly, discussing India's counterinsurgency approach, highlights the evolving strategy that has shifted from military action to a more nuanced approach combining development, governance, and intelligence gathering.
- The ongoing challenges in balancing security and human rights have been a key focus of India's counterinsurgency strategy, as outlined in the Irregular Warfare Podcast, especially in the context of regions like Kashmir, the Northeast, and Punjab.
- Aum Sajid Shapoo, a decorated Indian Police Service officer, contributes his expertise from counterterrorism assignments, providing insights into the tactical innovations and differences between internal and expeditionary counterinsurgency operations on the podcast.
