India's Quest for Security

India's Quest for Security: Defence Policies, 1947-1965 explores the intricate challenges faced by India in its pursuit of national security during its formative years as an independent nation. Against the backdrop of two immutable truths of international relations—the primacy of national self-interest and the enduring role of military power—the book examines how India navigated the complexities of defense policy from 1947 to 1965. It scrutinizes the strategies adopted by the Indian government under Jawaharlal Nehru, emphasizing the balance sought between security needs and resource limitations, and the intersection of moral postures with practical military actions. The study questions whether India’s espoused principles of nonviolence and peaceful coexistence genuinely shaped its defense policies or whether traditional power considerations dominated its approach.

Central to the book is an analysis of India's response to external threats from Pakistan and China, as well as its evolving military posture amidst global and regional tensions. The text delves into key episodes, including India's military engagements in Kashmir, Goa, Nagaland, and its border conflicts with China, highlighting how these shaped the country's defense priorities and expenditures. Furthermore, it investigates the processes through which defense policies were formulated, often reflecting Nehru’s personal influence, and evaluates the impact of these policies on India's military capabilities and international standing. Through a meticulous review of speeches, parliamentary debates, official documents, and firsthand accounts, the book offers insights into India’s strategic decisions, the challenges of policy implementation, and the enduring implications for its defense strategies post-1965.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1967.