India’s strategic culture has evolved through millennia of civilisational continuity, philosophical introspection, and pragmatic statecraft. Rooted in traditions of intellectual enquiry and adaptability, it reflects an enduring synthesis of ideas drawn from its ancient texts, historical encounters, and modern experiences. From the principles of Kautilya’s Arthashastra to the ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (“the world is one family”), India’s approach to power and security has been guided by the balance between moral responsibility and strategic necessity. This brief explores the interrelationship between strategy and culture, examining how India’s unique civilisational identity continues to shape its contemporary national security outlook in a multipolar world. The study concludes that India’s rise as a responsible global actor depends on institutionalising a framework for strategic culture that blends historical insight with forward-looking pragmatism.
Strategy and Culture: India’s Continued Relevance in a Complex Multipolar World
