India’s New Security Doctrine: Five ‘New Normals’ and the Visionary Sudarshan Chakra Mission

India has unveiled a sweeping new security doctrine that sets the tone for its defence and strategic posture in the coming decade. Announced against the backdrop of rising cross-border challenges and technological shifts in warfare, the doctrine is anchored on two pillars: the declaration of five “new normals” in India’s engagement with Pakistan and the ambitious Mission Sudarshan Chakra, a home-grown, multi-layered air and missile defence shield slated for completion by 2035. Together, they signal a shift from reactive defence to proactive deterrence, redefining India’s role as a regional and global security player.

A staff cleans Akash, a medium-range mobile surface-to-air missile defense system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The Akash played a significant role in Operation Sindoor, thwarting Pakistan's rain of drones and missiles. File image/AFP | Firstpost

A Decade of Defence Growth and Self-Reliance

India’s defence sector has undergone significant transformation over the past decade. The national defence budget has risen dramatically, from ₹2.53 lakh crore in 2013–14 to a projected ₹6.81 lakh crore in 2025–26. Defence production too has seen record growth, touching ₹1.50 lakh crore in 2024–25, which is more than triple the level of 2014–15.

Equally striking is India’s emergence as a major exporter of defence equipment. Indian-made weaponry and systems are now supplied to more than 100 countries, including global powers such as the United States and France. Exports have increased thirty-fourfold since 2014, marking a sharp departure from India’s earlier image as a predominantly import-dependent nation. These achievements are closely tied to the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, which prioritises domestic defence research, production, and procurement.

Redefining Relations with Pakistan: The Five ‘New Normals’

At the heart of the new doctrine lies a tougher, clearer policy on Pakistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined five guiding principles, or “new normals,” that now define India’s approach to its western neighbour. The first is an uncompromising response to any terror attack; aggression, the government declared, will always invite decisive retaliation.

Second, India has made it clear that nuclear blackmail will no longer influence its actions. Pakistan’s nuclear threats will not deter India from striking at terrorist infrastructure when necessary. Third, the doctrine holds that there is no difference between terrorists and their sponsors—those who enable terror will face the same consequences as those who execute it.

The fourth normal redefines diplomacy: terrorism will be the sole or primary agenda in any future dialogue with Pakistan, alongside the question of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Finally, sovereignty has been emphasised as non-negotiable, with Modiji reaffirming that “terror and talks cannot go together, terror and trade cannot go together, and blood and water cannot flow together.” These principles were tested and reinforced during Operation Sindoor in May 2025, when India launched targeted strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack.

Mission Sudarshan Chakra: India’s Next-Gen Defence Shield

While the new normals set the diplomatic and strategic framework, Mission Sudarshan Chakra embodies India’s technological ambition. Inspired by Lord Krishna’s mythical weapon, the mission is envisioned as a nationwide, multi-layered defence shield capable of intercepting and neutralising hostile missiles, drones, and aircraft.

The system is designed to be fully indigenous, integrating advanced surveillance radars, command-and-control centres, and interceptor batteries spread across land, sea, and air. Unlike purely defensive systems such as Israel’s Iron Dome, Sudarshan Chakra is intended not only to shield but also to enable precision counterstrikes, marking a shift from passive protection to active deterrence.

By 2035, the shield aims to cover all critical assets, from military bases and strategic installations to hospitals, railways, and religious sites. It will employ artificial intelligence for real-time tracking, cyber protection against hostile infiltration, and drone-interception capabilities. In essence, it seeks to create a comprehensive defensive umbrella while retaining the ability to “punish the enemy.”

The Technological Foundations

Several projects already underway form the backbone of Mission Sudarshan Chakra. The SAMAR Air Defence System, tested during Operation Sindoor, has demonstrated India’s ability to intercept low-altitude threats like drones and cruise missiles. Meanwhile, Project Kusha, led by DRDO, is developing long-range surface-to-air missiles with strike ranges extending from 150 km to 350 km, slated for induction later this decade.

Supporting these are advanced tracking systems such as the Swordfish radar, capable of monitoring ballistic missiles up to 1,500 km away, and Project Akashteer, an AI-driven command-and-control system that allows seamless coordination of battlefield air defence. Together, these technologies lay the groundwork for the Sudarshan Chakra, ensuring it will not be built from scratch but on the momentum of ongoing innovation.

Implications for India’s Security Landscape

This doctrine represents a shift from hesitation to assertiveness. By making terrorism the central lens for relations with Pakistan and rejecting nuclear coercion, India is placing clear red lines before its adversaries. The Sudarshan Chakra mission, in parallel, reflects India’s determination to achieve strategic autonomy in defence technologies.

The broader message is that India no longer views defence merely as an act of protection but as a proactive strategy to deter, respond, and lead. With growing investments in indigenous R&D, exports, and cutting-edge defence projects, the country is positioning itself not just as a regional power but as a global security innovator.

Conclusion

India’s new security doctrine is both pragmatic and visionary. The five “new normals” define the rules of engagement with clarity, leaving no ambiguity for adversaries. Mission Sudarshan Chakra, meanwhile, is an ambitious project that blends mythology with modernity, aiming to deliver a shield that will safeguard the nation by 2035.

Together, these measures redefine India’s defence strategy for the 21st century. They signal a confident nation, ready not only to defend its sovereignty but also to set the terms of engagement in an uncertain and volatile geopolitical environment.

(Sources: Firstpost, LiveMint, Times of India)