Role of Aerospace Power*

Constant churning in geo-politics and geo- economics has thrown up new challenges in the global security scenario. The 9/11 terrorist strikes in the US mainland brought about greater international convergence on security issues and tackling of sub-conventional threats and challenges. New threats have reinforced the need for international cooperation to combat them. It has found expression as GWOT: the Global War on Terror. The Arab Spring and Jasmine Revolution have altered the character of regional politics in Northern Africa and West Asia, leading to regime changes in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia and fuelled instability in the region. The rise of the Islamic State (IS) and unrest in Syria and Iraq have created instability in the Middle East and caught the attention of the entire world. Economics, energy security, national interests as well as religious ideology are shaping views on geo-politics and national and international security. The rise of China, India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has resulted in the shift of the economic centre of gravity and, hence, the strategic centre of gravity, to the Asia-Pacific region.

India and its Neighbourhood: India shares 15,100 km of mostly inhospitable land boundaries with six countries and its seventh neighbour, Sri Lanka, is separated by just 25 miles of a shallow water channel. This is a unique challenge for any country, as the dual task of physical security of the borders and maintaining harmonious relations with neighbours is a humongous one.

External Security Challenges: Today, the issues range from border disputes, the fallout of the uprisings in West Asia, the rise of the IS, instability in Afghanistan and Pakistan and the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan at a critical phase for the Afghan government. These are