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Late Brigadier Gurmeet Kanwal (Retd.) was a celebrated soldier, author, thought leader and noted strategic affairs analyst. Graduating from the National Defence Academy in March 1972, Brigadier Kanwal went on to command an Infantry Brigade along the LOC and an Artillery Regiment in Kashmir (1993-1994). He also served as Deputy Assistant Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff.

After taking voluntary retirement in 2003, Brigadier Kanwal joined the Observer Research Foundation and served at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses and Centre for Air Power Studies. He was Director of the Centre for Land Warfare Studies from 2008 to 2012. He was also the co-founder of two think tanks, Forum for Strategic Initiatives (FSI) and the South Asian Institute for Strategic Affairs (SAISA). In November 2012, he was nominated among 50 Thought Leaders by Mail Today. He was awarded the COAS Commendation Card twice. He had contributed extensively to various journals and leading newspapers, including a column in the Statesman for over two years. He was a regular speaker at well-known international think tanks and military institutions.

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“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.”
— THOREAU —

Honours

Life & Work

Writings

Rightsizing is Wrong

Ac expenditure on manpower accounts for over 90 per cent of the army's budget, all possible avenues need to be explored to save manpower costs without compromising the army's operational preparedness. Such a move offers a lucrative opportunity to save on manpower costs by increasing the number of...

Hard News | Jun 1, 2004
Unpredicatbility the flavour of the times

"India's response to individual incidents of terrorism had so far been predictable - calling Pakistan lame and avoiding any reaction overtly. Now, by launching surgical strikes and taking other pro-active actions, India has introduced an element of unpredictability. Pakistan can no longer be sure...

Defence & Security Alert | Jan 5, 2017
Not merely an oil shock

The World Bank has estimated that the energy demand in India will grow at 5.3 per cent up to 2010 and at 10 per cent after that. More than 70 per cent of India's oil, that has a share of about 36 per cent in India's energy pie, is now imported.

The Tribune | Jun 15, 2004
International danger diabolic: Osama’s war

With a grim face, President George W. Bush declared war on terrorism and General Colin Powell, his Secretary of State, lost no time in pointing a finger at Osama bin Laden as the primary suspect. In striking at the heart of US capitalism and national security, Osama bin Laden, perhaps the preeminent...

PTI Feature | Sep 29, 2001
Countering Pakistan’s war: Tactical assertiveness, strategic restraint

While the strategic restraint shown by India despite grave provocation enabled the country to keep the level of conflict low and sustain a high rate of economic growth, it failed to create any disincentives for Pakistan s deep state. The remaining roots of the militancy in J&K are now in Pakistan...

CLAWS Scholar Warrior | Aug 4, 2017
Facing up to China

While India-China relations have been fairly stable at the strategic level, these have been marked by political, diplomatic and military instability at the tactical level due to Beijing’s increasing belligerence. The latest incident is that […]

The Pioneer | Jan 15, 2012
United Nations-I

Since most of the conflicts that require UN intervention are in the Third World countries, these developing countries have a major stake in ensuring that the UN peace-keeping apparatus functions smoothly and impartially. The most important task facing the developing countries is to work in a united...

The Statesman | May 15, 2002
Chinks in the armour

Although India had established diplomatic relations with Israel under a Congress government headed by P V Narasimha Rao in 1992, the previous National Democratic Alliance government led by Atal Behari Vajpayee had warmed up to Israel like never before. Today, despite the Left's stance against...

Hard News | Jul 1, 2004
Tactical Nukes-I

An examination of the range of nuclear weapons, their yield, the location of the delivery system, the location of the target and the alert or readiness status of the weapon, reveals much overlap between tactical, theatre and strategic nuclear weapons. If nuclear weapons are to be employed as...

The Statesman | Jul 22, 2002

Condolences

Sharpening the arsenal: India’s evolving nuclear deterrence policy
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The essence of the defence minister's introspection was that ambiguity enhances deterrence. This view has been expressed by several nuclear strategists. Nuclear doctrines are not written in stone and are never absolutely rigid.

Indian Army Vision 2020
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Indian Army: Vision 2020 examines the threats and their changing nature, identifies the key operational commitments, makes a comparative analysis of how other modern armies are coping and offers a considered guide map for a modern fighting force that is light, lethal and wired to meet the operational challenges of the 21st century.

Pakistan’s Proxy War
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This book presents an incisive analysis of the trends and prospects of Pakistan`s proxy war and its wider ramifications. Specific recommendations focus on the pro-active military measures that are necessary to regain control over the vitiated security situation and restore normalcy.

Heroes of Kargil

This book recounts in graphic detail the raw courage under fire displayed by the young officers and heroic fight back against daunting odds. It is a tribute to the young heroes and gallant martyrs of the campaign that stirred the national consciousness like nothing else before.