ISLAMABAD – Speakers, during a discussion at Islamabad Policy ResearchInstitute (IPRI) said the Joint Doctrine of Indian Armed Forces 2017explicitly acknowledges the use of “surgical strikes” as a formal part ofIndia’s toolkit, validates the existence of India’s Cold Start Doctrine andclearly highlights a shift in nuclear strategy by indicating movement awayfrom “Credible Minimum Deterrence” (CMD) to “Credible Deterrence” (CD).

Deliberating on “Indian Armed Forces Joint Doctrine 2017: A CriticalAppraisal” they said that no longer are the lines “gray” in terms of whatIndia’s hegemonic and dangerous designs for the region since the documentis indicative that New Delhi sees both China and Pakistan as directmilitary threats. The doctrine also offers a new picture of how Indiaseparates the control of its nuclear weapons between military and civilianauthorities, said the speakers at the Panel Discussion on organised by IPRI.

IPRI President Abdul Basit said the presentation of India’s nuclearstrategy in the doctrine is alarming since it has opted to use the terms“Credible Deterrence” instead of “Credible Minimum Deterrence”. He pointedout that as a reflection of India’s future political and militaryambitions, the doctrine will have long-term implications for Pakistan’sthreat perceptions and force posturing, and calls for serious contemplationby the government.

Discussing the “Potential Shifts in Indian Nuclear Strategy: Challenges forNuclear Deterrence in South Asia”, senior defence analyst Air Commodore(retd) Khalid Banuri highlighted that the JDIAF focus on determining andpreventing conflict through a process of Credible Deterrence, coercivediplomacy and punitive destruction, disruption and constraint was alarming.