The term geo-strategy is a combination of the words geography and strategy. Geography deals with describing the earth in terms of its physical features, distribution of population, land use, economic resources of the country, etc. Strategy is a calculated plan of action to achieve the goals of the state.
Geographical factors are essential determinants of strategy. Geo-strategy is the strategic aspect of geography that deals with controlling and accessing geographical areas or territories that affect the security and well-being of a state.
Objectives of this lesson:
- Explain the meaning of geo-strategy
- Identify India’s national power potential
- Describe the various economic activities of the country
Key geographical factors that impact strategy include Land, Demography and Natural Resources.
Land is defined in terms of physical geography or physiography. Possession of vast land or territory determines the power of a country. India’s physiography is divided into at least four aspects:
- Mountains in the North: The Great Himalayan range and other lesser mountains such as Aravalli (Rajasthan), Vindhya, Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Nilgiris (Blue mountains) and others.
- Plains: Northern India often called the Indo-Gangetic plains.
- Plateau region of the South: Spreading from the Indo-Gangetic plain and covered by the Western and Eastern Ghats. The Deccan plateau is the largest plateau in the country.
- Islands of India: Total coastline of India is 7516 km. Coast of Gujarat is the longest; Andhra Pradesh is the second longest. Indian territorial limits include more than 200 islands (Andaman & Nicobar in the East; Lakshadweep in the West).
India is one of the most densely populated countries in the world (more than 1.2 billion people — second largest after China). Its population exceeds that of the USA and Russia put together and is larger than the entire African continent.
- Manpower: Provides the manpower requirement of the Army, Navy, Air Force and paramilitary forces. Acts as strong reserves during emergencies.
- Economic activity: Source of agricultural, manufacturing and industrial production.
- Young population: Nearly 42% of India’s population is below 15 years; only 12% is aged 50 and over. Young population adds to the workforce and contributes to economic development.
Diversity is another advantage — variety of speech, written language, religious and social customs. Major religions: Hinduism, Islam, Christianity (also Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists). 845 languages and dialects; 22 major languages recognised by the Constitution.
Energy and natural resources are vital for the economy. A country gifted with natural resources can maintain strong defence forces. Major power resources of India:
- Coal: Still the principal source of power. India is the ninth largest coal-producing country. Main deposits: Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh. Used in power generation, steel and cement industries.
- Petroleum: Valuable source of energy with multiple by-products (petrol, diesel, lubricating oil, etc.). Without petroleum products, land, sea and air forces would be immobilised. India produces 14.3 million tons of oil. Major areas: Assam, Gujarat, Punjab, UP, Bombay High (offshore). India imports about 70% of its oil needs (USA, Iran, UAE) — this affects the economy.
- Hydro-Electric Power: Continuous and cannot be exhausted. Dams and power stations are vulnerable to air attack (risk of floods). Conservation of water resources is linked to Environment Security.
- Atomic Power: Both destructive and constructive. India has raw material (Uranium, Thorium, Monazite) and the ability to develop atomic energy. Plants at Tarapore, Rana Pratap Sagar (Kota) and Kalpakkam.
India has several perennial rivers. Three major Himalayan river systems (each more than 2000 km): Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra. Other major rivers: Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Narmada. River systems provide good sources of power generation.
Vegetation is tropical monsoon in character below 900 m. India has tropical rain forests, tropical savanna, semi-arid, tropical desert, humid sub-tropical and mountainous climates. Forests cover about 19% of the total geographical area (uneven due to irregular rainfall). Distribution includes Tropical Moist (23.30%), Dry deciduous (29.15%), Tropical Thorn (5.25%), Tropical Wet Evergreen (4.50%), and others.
Minerals form the basis of industrial development. India has large reserves of coal, iron ore, mica, manganese, magnesite, bauxite and thorium. Some minerals (petroleum, phosphates, sulphur, potash) fall short of requirement.
- Iron ore: Bihar, Orissa, A.P., M.P., Mysore, Tamil Nadu
- Manganese: Orissa, Karnataka (India is among the largest producers)
- Chromite: Mysore, Orissa (used for defence purposes)
- Mica: Bihar, Rajasthan, A.P. (India is the largest producer)
- Bauxite: Bihar, Gujarat, M.P., Tamil Nadu, Orissa
- Gypsum: Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu (cement & fertiliser)
- Uranium: Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka (used for nuclear weapons)
- Thorium: Coast of Kerala, Aravalli hills (Rajasthan) — used for weapon production
- Gold: Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
Economic power is the capacity of a country to use its economic resources and assets in order to achieve self-sufficiency. Geo-Economics is a combination of Geography and Economic activities of a nation that determines how it conducts trade with other nations.
Economic activities are broadly divided into three categories: Agriculture, Manufacturing / Industrial development, and Services. Economic growth is vital because the capacity of a nation to fight a war depends upon its economic potential and technological superiority.
Modern war is a total war in which the entire resources of a nation are devoted to successful conduct. Superiority in resources determined the victory of the Allied powers in the two World Wars.
Agriculture is the chief occupation of about 70% of the population and forms the backbone of the country. India is self-sufficient in rice and wheat. Other food crops: jowar, pulses, maize. Commercial/cash crops: sugarcane, cotton, groundnuts, tobacco, tea, jute — these earn foreign exchange that can be used for enhancing defence capabilities.
India has made significant progress in industrial development. Industries manufacture railways equipment, ships, automobiles, aircraft, industrial machinery, electrical machinery, chemicals and paper. For defence, India indigenously manufactures missiles, tanks, helicopters, ships and other weapon systems. Major industries also include cotton textiles, woollen textiles, jute, sugar, leather, iron & steel, handicrafts and engineering.
Services provide support to economic activities: tourism, education, health care, engineering, communications, transportation, information technology, finance and management. The services sector occupies a predominant share of India’s economic activity and helps increase both economic and military power through greater manufacturing of defence equipment.
Geo-strategy = Geography + Strategy. It is the strategic aspect of geography concerned with controlling and accessing geographical areas/territories that affect the security and well-being of a state. Geographical factors are essential determinants of strategy.
Strategy is shaped by: (1) Land (mountains, plains, plateaus, islands & 7516 km coastline), (2) Demography (manpower, young population, diversity), and (3) Natural & Energy Resources (coal, petroleum, hydro, atomic, minerals, rivers).
India has the second-largest population. Nearly 42% is below 15 years. Advantages: (a) military & paramilitary manpower and reserves, (b) economic production base, (c) young workforce for growth.
Petroleum products are essential for mobility of land, sea and air forces. India produces only part of its requirement and imports about 70% — this is a strategic vulnerability that affects the economy and defence readiness.
Economic power = capacity to use resources for self-sufficiency. Modern war is total war; the entire national resources are devoted to the war effort. Superiority in resources determined Allied victory in the World Wars. Agriculture, Industry and Services together build the economic base that sustains military power.
Remember key defence-linked minerals: Chromite (defence purposes), Uranium & Thorium (nuclear weapons / weapon production), Mica (largest producer), Iron ore & Manganese (industrial base for defence production).