Takshashila Doctrine Document - A Space Doctrine for India

Preamble

1. India aspires to shape a strategic environment conducive to economic development and the peaceful enjoyment of prosperity. To do so, it must be able to secure its territory, address threats before they reach India's borders, become a security provider in the region, enjoy the free movement of goods and services, and have unhindered use of the seas & outer space.

2. The ability to use space for commercial, scientific and military purposes has become a vital determinant of national power. India’s growing use of space could make its space assets attractive targets for adversaries.

3. Some key technological developments make this threat a reality: (i) kinetic systems such as direct ascent and co-orbital anti-satellite weapons, (ii) non-kinetic systems such as cyber-attack and electronic warfare capabilities, as well as directed energy weapons, and (iii) supporting capabilities such as sensors and computation.

4. This threat is also exacerbated because many space-denial capabilities can be employed covertly or with deniability and in peacetime or situations short of war.

5. This document lays out the principles for the development, deployment, and employment of India's space forces and its space assets' character. This document will form the basis for further developing the policy and strategy concerning force structures, deployment and employment of space forces. The document itself will go through reviews at regular intervals.

Objectives

India's primary objective is to preserve its use of space. Therefore, India will pursue a doctrine anchored in deterrence and requiring both defensive and offensive capabilities. These capabilities' scale and character will be subject to national security objectives, the strategic environment, and emerging technologies. India seeks to convince potential adversaries that:

a. Any attempt to deny India the use of space will result in a response in a manner and at a time of India’s choosing.

b. India’s response to an attack on space-based assets or forces may not be limited to space. Similarly, an attack on India’s Earth-based space assets for forces may result in a response on Earth or in space.