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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
Brig. Gurmeet Kanwal, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, at the book launch of The New Arthashastra on November 10, 2016
Smt Nirmala Sitharaman releases book ‘Sharpening the Arsenal: India’s Evolving Nuclear Deterrence Policy’ authored by Brig (Retd) Gurmeet Kanwal at IDSA, New Delhi on March 15, 2018.
Brig (Retd) Gurmeet Kanwal, awarded the United nations Medal on March 1, 1990
Brig. Gurmeet Kanwal, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, at the book launch of The New Arthashastra on November 10, 2016

Writings

op-eds journals
National Security
Pay-back time on the LoC

The only language the military junta in Pakistan is likely to understand is that of violence - directed not against innocent civilians inside POK but against Pakistan's army deployed on the LoC. It is possible for India to turn on the screws by inflicting local military defeats on the Pakistan army...

The Indian Express | Jun 28, 2000
National Security
Pakistan: Six months into the jackboot

Six months after Pakistan came back under the jack boot, initial public support for the Army has waned and the people are despairing of one poor governance having been replaced by another and more authoritarian at that. Writing in Dawn, columnist Ayaz Amir said, "Since dislodging a government in...

The Sentinel | Jul 8, 2000
National Security
Lest We Forget

DECEMBER 3,1971. In the twilight of a cold winter evening, the birds were coming home to roost in the trees around Ambala airfield when the thunder of diving jets and the • noisy explosion of […]

Illustrated Weekly | Jan 26, 1982
National Security
थलसेना: आधुनिकीकरण ने पकड़ी रफ़्तार
Defence Monitor | Dec 7, 2015
National Security
CYBERWAR: THE ROAD AHEAD

Crystalgazing : A Peep into the Future January 2015, 1000 hours. The mellow rays of the winter sun glinted off the drum major’s baton as the coloufully attired brass band marched past the Chief of […]

Combat Journal | Jul 1, 1996
Strategic Environment
China’s long march to world power status: Strategic challenge for India

While China is likely to continue Its present stance of improving relations with India as a period of "Peace and tranquility" will enable China to consolidate both economically and militarily, it is unlikely to countenance India's aspirations to become a major regional power in the Asia-Pacific...

Strategic Analysis | Feb 5, 1999
National Security
Joint air attack teams: Integration of AAH and FGA missions as a combat force multiplier

One method of achieving the necessary integration and close cooperation is by forming joint air attack teams - an idea whose time has come. The differences in speed, manoeuvrability, weapons systems and the AD threat to FGA aircraft and AAH demand careful selection of attack modes, clear delineation...

Indian Defence Review | Aug 14, 2000
National Security
Are Pakistan’s nukes in safe hands?

India would be particularly vulnerable to nuclear terrorism if the lunatic fringe of Pakistan's jihadi forces were to lay their hands on nuclear warheads, While the threat to the US from nuclear terrorism is no doubt real, that to India is much greater because of India's contiguity with Pakistan and...

Sahara Time | Jan 24, 2004
Internal Security
“No first use” Doctrine India’s strategic dilemma

While India may have no intentions of launching a major conventional offensive into Pakistan, given India's conventional superiority, Pakistan has based its national security strategy on the first use of nuclear weapons to prevent its comprehensive military defeat like in 1971 and its disintegration...

The Tribune | Jul 15, 2000

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Publications

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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
Buy

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.