GREY
ZONE WARFARE - DEFENCE & SECURITY
News:
Raisina Dialogue |
Grey-zone warfare latest entry in lexicon of warfare, says Chief of Defence
Staff
What's
in the news?
●
In the lexicon on warfare, “grey-zone” is
the latest entry, because of what has happened in the South China Sea and what
has happened along our northern borders, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Anil
Chauhan said in a reference to China.
Key
takeaways:
●
Gen. Anil Chauhan makes reference to
China’s actions along the Line of Actual Control as well as the South China
Sea.
●
Navy chiefs of various countries stress
need to work together and share information to counter aggression of some
nations
Grey
Zone Warfare:
●
Grey zone warfare generally means a middle, unclear space that exists between
direct conflict and peace in international relations.
●
It can be broadly defined as the
exploitation of operational space between peace and war to change the status
quo through the use of coercive actions which remain below a threshold that, in
most cases, would prompt a conventional military response.
Activities
under Grey Zone:
●
Activities characterised as grey zone
warfare methods range from the use of
proxies for kinetic action or change of territorial status quo through
coercion to non-kinetic subversive actions such as cyberattacks, economic
coercion, disinformation campaign, election meddling and more recently,
weaponization of migrants.
Features:
●
Grey zone elements remain below the threshold that would justify a military response,
often through the use of non-military tools.
●
Grey zone activity unfolds gradually over time rather than involving bold,
all-encompassing actions to achieve objectives in one step.
●
Most grey zone campaigns involve actions,
whereby the aggressor aims for plausible deniability of its action. In cases
where grey zone actions are open and attributable, they are justified using
extensive legal and political arguments. In addition, aggressors also recruit
other countries to their point of view.
●
Grey zone campaigns target specific vulnerabilities in the targeted countries.
China’s
Grey Zone Tactics against India:
1.
South China Sea Activities:
●
China employs naval and civilian vessels
to assert its control over the South China Sea.
●
It causes tensions with neighbouring
countries, including India.
2.
Constructing Infrastructure in Border Areas:
●
China builds infrastructure and
establishes villages close to India’s borders.
●
It reinforces its territorial assertions
and gains strategic benefits.
3.
Investments in Digital Technologies:
●
China directs investments into apps,
media, and various digital platforms within India.
●
This presence in the digital sphere holds
the potential to mold public perceptions and narratives.