China has been deploying Grey-zone Warfare tactics in Taiwan, South China Sea, India’s boundary disputes, etc. to achieve its strategic objective.
About Grey-zone Warfare
- It refers to middle, unclear space that exists between direct conflict and peace.
- It aims to harm an adversary without them feeling threatened or realizing they are under attack.
- It uses both conventional and non-conventional means of warfare.
- Mechanism: Actions like salami slicing that deals with small military actions to conquer opposition's territory piece by piece, nefarious economic activities (e.g. sanctions), cyberattacks, Psychological operations (e.g. disinformation campaigns), use of proxy forces, etc.
Characteristics of Grey-zone Warfare
- Below threshold operation: Aggressor uses non-military tools that do not justify a military response.
- Gradually unfolding of bold steps: It may even take years or decades thereby reducing opportunities for decisive counter response.
- Lack of attributability/accountability: Aggressor does not accept responsibilities for such activities and hence distracts responses.
- Target Specific: Usually targets are vulnerable countries that have little scope for retaliation due to domestic or strategic reasons.
Measures Required
- Active Monitoring (sharing of information between like-minded countries), Deterrence through Capability Demonstration, fostering rule-based order etc.
India’s Preparedness against Grey-zone Warfare
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