Kautilya’s Arthashastra and

India’s Strategic Culture

Lecture 2
Introduction
• Chanakya, also called Kautilya or Vishnugupta, (flourished 300 BCE),
Hindu statesman and philosopher who wrote a classic treatise on
polity, Artha-shastra (“The Science of Material Gain”), a compilation
of almost everything that had been written in India up to his time
regarding artha (property, economics, or material success).
• Chanakya became a counselor and adviser to Chandragupta (reigned
c. 321–c. 297), founder of the Mauryan empire of northern India, but
lived by himself. He was instrumental in helping Chandragupta
overthrow the powerful Nanda dynasty at Pataliputra, in the
Magadha region.
Introduction
• The depth analysis of India’s foreign policy as well as a strategic culture tells the
bibliophiles that it is much fascinated by Chanakya Kautilya’s “ARTHASHASTRA”
wisdom. In the context of etymology, Kautilya is India’s strategic intellectual
along with political highbrow around three hundred (300) BC.
• His renowned piece of writing titled “Arthashastra” is the masterpiece of writing
in the context of “Diplomacy”, “Warfare” tactics, and how to deal with the
neighborhoods and regional as well as global level.
• Interestingly, after a long time, this magnificent work of Kautilya is still being used
by the Indian political pundits, strategic think tanks, and diplomats who aim to
deal India with other entities of the region.
• Kautilya was the chief and beloved advisor of a King named “Chandragupta” and
had an expansionist notion and desire to conquer the world.
• Chanakya’s book came to be Chandragupta’s guide. Each of its 15 sections
deals with a phase of government, which Chanakya sums up as “the science
of punishment.” He openly advises the development of an elaborate spy
system reaching into all levels of society and encourages political and secret
assassination. Lost for centuries, the book was discovered in 1905.
• Compared by many to Italian statesman and writer Niccolò Machiavelli and by
others to Aristotle and Plato, Chanakya is alternately condemned for his
ruthlessness and trickery and praised for his sound political wisdom and
knowledge of human nature.
• All authorities agree, however, that it was mainly because of Chanakya that
empires under Chandragupta and later under Ashoka (reigned c. 265–c. 238)
became a model of efficient government.
Kautliya’s Policy Main Six Points
• Not todays but for much long time, Indian strategic thinking and
culture is the pure reflection of Kautliya’s policy of conquering which
is based on the main six points.
1. Peace
2. War
3. Neutrality
4. Marching
5. Alliance
6. Double Policy
Peace
• In his first point named “Peace”, Kautilya suggests that if the King/ Ruler feels the
decline, defeat, and deterioration as compared to its powerful enemy then the
king should follow the notion of peace and arise the solon of “Peace”.
• If we do a deep analysis, during the time of the Indo-China war of 1962, and
defeat of India, India followed the philosophy of peace because India came to
know that it were not possible to defeat China.
• In recent time, at the Glawan-Valley India-China military stand-off, India
declared that India wants peace with China.
• India knows very well that India can’t defeat China because there is still no
comparison between India and China even in their annual defense budget.
Frankly, there is no comparison between China’s almost 270 billion $ military
budget with the Indian 62 billion $ budget. China is at least more powerful.
War
• By explaining this second very significant point “War”, Kautilya
suggests that “if the Ruler/ Head/ King is in the superior as well as
grander position, he/she should attack its enemy as well as adversary
with a brutal war.”
• Even India used the term “Coercive diplomacy” against Pakistan and
put more pressure on Pakistan from global fora too. By following the
same suiting and effective defensive response, Pakistan adopted the “
Mirror Diplomacy” any eye-to-eye interaction by following the “Tit-
for-Tat” notion along with “Action-Reaction” syndrome counter Indian
offensive looms
“Neutrality
• . In the third folded wisdom named “Neutrality”, Kautilya suggests
that “if a ruler, head of state/king feels that his/her enemy is equal to
him/her in capabilities/abilities and some extent power, he/she
should adopt neutral policies and avoid to do nothing”.
“Marching”
• By following the fourth suiting of “Marching” as fourth significant
pillar of Kautilya’s policy of war and diplomacy, Kautilya suggests that
“If ruler/king upsurge its power and has a special massive advantage
over her/his adversary or enemy he/she will/ should adopt the
“Marching” notion and make active preparedness for war against its
enemy”. India is actively follows this notion perfectly.
• India has provoked a synergy as well as integration among Indian
Army (IA), Indian Air Force (IAF), and Indian Navy (IN) aim to robust
their capabilities, abilities, warfare tactics, logistic and kinesis,
advance artillery, warfare techniques, and marine distinct
commandoes and forces. The evolving military modernization i.e.
nuclear arsenals delivery systems, defense systems, advance combat
aircraft (Raffle), and the mounting annual defense budget is the
reflection of Indian offensive marching. India is highest munitions
importer for long time.
“Alliances”.
• Moving ahead, the next fifth folded notion is making “Alliances”. By
follow this notion, Kautilya suggests that “to prepare for war and want
more power, king/ruler should get the help of other entities particular
major powers. It is the most significant pillar of Indian foreign policy.
• Moreover, King seeks alliance with neighbors, major powers to ensure
its power and maximize its power. India is also the biggest follower of
this notion and enhancing its strategic partnership with neighbors and
major powers.
• The sharing of advance munitions by the USA with India is believed to
augment India’s strategic warfare power. Moreover, India has also
strategic relations with American allies such as Israel and purchasing
advanced weapons. Russia is also a suitable market for purchasing
weapons for India.
“Double Policy”,
• As Machiavelli said that “politics have no relation to Morals”. So,
International Politics has meagerness and insufficiency of moralities
and ethics but full of paradox deception.
• Since the very first day, India has double face stranded while dealing
with nation-states. By following the sixth notion of “Double Policy”,
Kautliya suggests that king/ruler should adopt double dealing while
dealing with vicinities; one side purse peace and on the contrary
adopt offensive looms or war.
Mandala theory Principles
Indian mandarins who formulate and execute its external affairs, are obsessed with
Chanakya’s “Mandala Theory”. A mandala is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Indian
religions, representing the universe. In common parlance, mandala has become a
generic term for a circle or loop.

The states participate in diplomacy and war using the six methods of foreign policy.
To understand the concept of the Mandala theory, the six methods of foreign policy
enunciated by Chanakya must be understood. These cater for different situations in
international relations:
1. Samdhi. The peace treaties were to be concluded with specific conditions that
enabled the state to promote welfare and development, strengthen alliances or
use the period as one arm of dual policy. Chanakya said that a treaty could
even be entered into with one’s enemy and might be broken when one grew
strong. The interests of the state being supreme, such betrayals were justified.
• Vigraha
The policy of hostility was recommended to be followed by the stronger
state. The hostilities could be conducted as open, secret, undeclared or
clandestine attacks. Diplomatic wars too were discussed extensively by
Chanakya.
• Asana.
The policy of remaining neutral was recommended by Chanakya to be
followed when both states were equal. The Chinese observed neutrality
in the cold war between the USA and the erstwhile USSR and utilized
their efforts towards development. India was the leading proponent of
non-alignment and in following the policy was able to get the best of
both the Western and Eastern Blocs.
Yana.
• Samsraya. The policy of seeking protection of a stronger king
could be practiced by entering into alliances or by signing a
treaty. Various alliances formed during the cold War indicate
that this policy is relevant even today. In 1971, when war
with Pakistan was imminent, India signed a treaty of
friendship with the USSR as a safeguard against intervention
by the USA and China on behalf of Pakistan.
• Dvaidhibhava. This was the policy of seeking peace with one
king in order to pursue hostilities with another.
• Parshingraha. The attack in the rear in diplomatic, economic
or psychological sphere had been described as an important
aspect of foreign policy by the master of guile,
Chanakya. It could be in form of posturing or supporting
insurgency movements as well. India has developed
closer ties with countries like Afghanistan, Iran,
Mongolia, Japan, South Korea and Vietnam in order to
counter the influence of Pakistan and China in their
neighbourhood.
Objectives of Foreign Policy.
Chanakya said that the objective of foreign policy was to increase
the power of a state. Military, intellect and morale were vital
components of power, according to Chanakya. The king had to
continuously project his power by using appropriate foreign policy.
It was essential to understand the dynamic relationship between
power and progress and it had to be attained through implementing
the right policy and correct execution within the circle of states.
Chanakya had said that peace could be made with the enemy, albeit
as a temporary measure to gain time to enhance own power. The
wars in modern era are also fought on economic and cyber spaces.
Chanakya in his treatise had been categorical that a friendly or a
neutral neighbour is essential for the growth and stability of a state