The observation was made during assessment of the ongoing situation along the line of actual control (LAC) with China in eastern Ladakh.
About Grey Zone warfare
- It involves use of unconventional tactics and strategies that fall below the threshold of traditional warfare.
- It is the area between peace and war.
- It aims to harm an adversary without them feeling threatened or realizing they are under attack.
- Key activities include cyber attack operations, support to non-state actors, economic coercion,information warfare, etc
- E.g. Salami slicing practice of China. It is a strategy that involves taking over territory in a very gradual manner.
- It has been allegedly used by China for territorial expansion in the South China Sea.
Why Grey Zone warfare is preferred?
- It is difficult to counter or garner international support to take action against.
- It exploits weaknesses in the rules-based order.
- The cost of conventional conflict in the nuclear era has grown too steep, and the risk of escalation too profound. E.g., Russia’s takeover of Crimea.
- Nations which do not have access to massive resources or power, prefer it.
India’s measures to Tackle GZW
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