Kautilya's recommendations for foreign policy and military strategy are relevant in modern times too.

2. HYPOTHESIS
Kautilya‟s thoughts on
statecraft and management of war
as enunciated in his book
Arthasastra are relevant in present
times and his thoughts on
statecraft can be utilized to make
recommendations for India‟s
Foreign Policy.

3. “War is only a continuance of the
state policy by other means. But
war must always serve the larger
ends of policy and not become an
end in itself. The statesman‟s
objective must always be the
betterment of the state as a result
of war and not the defeat and
destruction of the enemy.”
KAUTILYA

4. DHARM YUDDHA – ETHICAL OR JUST
WAR
 Aim of the battle was to defeat/ destroy en forces.
 An honest and chivalrous en was to be fought by
honourable methods whereas a cunning/ deceitful en
was to be dealt in a similar manner.
 If attacked by a powerful en, withdraw to a fort.
 Campaigning season recommended to be from october
to march unless victory was certain or en in deep trouble
in any other season.

5.  If the en was stronger than you then
avoid war altogether.
 In case the en has an upper edge
offer peace and appease him with gifts,
but preserve the will to kill him at the
opportune time.
 If en is equal in str then the result of war
is likely to be indecisive therefore seek truce.
 However old or virtuous the en is
never trust or spare him, opportunity
wasted once never returns.

6.  If the cause of war was just then adopt the
philosophy “Ends justify means”.
 Truth may be sacrificed to gain an advantage
in war.
 Bluffing (Deception) is as virtuous as
truthfulness.
 In order to defeat en forces their cdrs should
first be eliminated.
 For formulation of strat and op plans, max
reliance placed on gaining int.
 Physical fitness, mental robustness
essentials of a Yoddha.

7. THEME OF ARTHASHASTRA
In the happiness of his subjects lies the king’s
happiness; in their welfare his welfare. He shall
not consider as good only that which pleases
him but treat as beneficial to him whatever
pleases his subjects.
{1.19.34}

8. ARTHASHASTRA : THE TREATISE
 Book 1 : Concerning Discipline : King‟s duties as
a ruler, maintaining discipline and creation of
organisation for governance.
 Book 2 : Duties of Government Officials.
 Book 3 : Concerning Law.
 Book 4 : Removal of Thorns : Punishment for
offences, protection and remedy against calamities.
 Book 5 : Conduct of Courtiers.
 Book 6 :The Source of Sovereign State :
Elements of sovereignty.
 Book 7 : The End of Six-fold Policy : State craft
and diplomacy - Circle of States

9. ARTHASHASTRA : THE TREATISE
 Book 8 : Concerning Vices and Calamities
 Book 9 : Work of an Invader.
 Book 10 : Relating to War : Various aspects of
war.
 Book 11 : Conduct of Corporation : Causes of
dissension and secret punishment.
 Book 12 : Concerning Powerful Enemies :
Intrigue and unorthodox methods of waging war.
 Book 13 : Strategic Means to Capture Fortress.
 Book 14 : Secret Means : Biological &
Chemical warfare.

10. STATE CRAFT

11. CONSTITUENTS OF A STATE
• THE KING.
• THE MINISTERS.
• THE COUNTRY-SIDE.
• TREASURY.
• FORTIFIED CITIES.
• THE ARMY.

12. CIRCLE OF STATES
 Kautilya is credited with the theory that
immediate neighbour is intrinsically hostile
and neighbour‟s neighbour is an ally.
 In Arthasastra Kautilya gives details of a
multipolar system that goes far beyond this
simple statement.
 Kings have been classified into twelve
types.
 State has not been conceived as a
monolithic identity but as having six
constituents.

13. MULTIPOLAR SYSTEM &
CIRCLE OF STATES
Friend‟s Friend
Enemy‟s Friend
Friend
Enemy
B
Middle A
King
Neutral
Conqueror King
Rear Enemy Rear Friend
Rear Enemy‟s Friend

14. MULTIPOLAR SYSTEM &
CIRCLE OF STATES
Friend‟s Friend
Enemy‟s Friend
Friend
?
? Enemy
BA
Middle A
King
Neutral
Conqueror King
Rear Enemy Rear Friend
Rear Enemy‟s Friend

15. FACTORS AFFECTING
POLICY FORMULATION
INNER CIRCLE
THREE KINGS
KING
OUTER CIRCLE FORTS MINISTERS
SIX CONSTITUENTS EN ALLY
EACH
INTERPLAY OF 3 X KINGS AND 18 X CONSTITUENTS
Please click to proceed

16. POLICY FORMULATION
KING KING
FORTS MINISTERS FORTS MINISTERS
EN ALLY EN ALLY
KING KING
FORTS FORTS
MINISTERS MINISTERS
EN ALLY EN ALLY
INTERPLAY OF 4X KINGS AND 72 X COSNTITUENTS
Please click to proceed

17. POWER OF A STATE
 Kautilyan Constituents of Power.
• Intellectual Strength.
• Strength of Sovereignty - possession of a
prosperous treasury and strong army.
• Physical Strength - the martial power.
 Ray Cline‟s Formula.
PP = (C + E + M) X (S + W)
where,
PP - Perceived power.
C - Critical mass : population and territory
E - Economic capability.
M - Military capability.
S - Strategic purpose.
W - Will.

18. SIX METHODS OF FOREIGN POLICY
• Samdhi – MAKING PEACE:ENTERING INTO AN
AGREEMENT WITH SPECIFIC CONDITIONS.
- ENABLES THE KING TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE AND
DEVELOPMENT OF HIS STATE WITHOUT INTERVENING IN ANY
CONFLICT (ACT AS A NEUTRAL KING).
- USE IT TO STRENGTHEN AN ALLIANCE.
- AWAIT FAVOURABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR PURSUING HIS OWN
INTEREST.
- USE IT AS ONE ARM OF DUAL POLICY; MAKE PEACE WITH ONE
TO ATTACK THE OTHER WITH HIS HELP.
Technique of concluding ,observing,violating,and renegotiating treaties
is an integral part of peace - Kautilya

19. SIX METHODS OF FOREIGN POLICY
• Vigraha – HOSTILITIES, IS ANOTHER
INSTRUMENT OF FOREIGN POLICY.
- DIPLOMATIC OFFENSIVE. Mantra Yuddha - INCLUDES MOBILISATION
AND MARCHING TOWARDS A BATTLE FIELD
- OPEN WAR. Prakasayuddha - NORMAL BATTLE.
- SECRET WAR. Kutayuddha - TAKING EN BY SURPRISE.
- UNDECLARED WAR.Gudayuddha - CLANDESTINE ATTACKS USING
SECRET AGENTS AND OCCULT PRACTICES.
War in context of foreign policy thus includes everything from under
taking a diplomatic offensive to fighting actual battle – Kautilya.

20. SIX METHODS OF FOREIGN POLICY
• Asna – STAYING QUIET.
• Yana - PREPARING FOR WAR.

21. SIX METHODS OF FOREIGN POLICY
• Samsaraya – SEEKING
PROTECTION, WHEN THREATENED BY
A STRONGER KING OR TAKING
REFUGE IN A FORT.
Dvaidhibhava - MAKING PEACE WITH ONE
IN ORDER TO PURSUE, WITH HIS
HELP , POLICY OF HOSTILITY
TOWARDS ANOTHER.

22. KAUTILYA &
THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT
 Debacle with China – 1962.
 Pakistan foreign policy has demonstrated
shrewd application of Kautilyan advice.
• Secret War.
• Diplomacy.
- Middle King – China.
- Neutral King - USA.

23. MILITARY
STRATEGY

24. HIGHER DEFENCE ORGANISATION
The Head of the State
(King)
Strategic
War Council King
Policy
NSC PM
Group &
Senapati
Security
C-in-C
CDS Yuvraj
Advisory
Group
Committees
Six Boards
Infantry Chariots Elephants DRDO
Army Air Force DIA Cavalry Navy

25. USE OF CIRCLE OF STATES
Conqueror
Enemy
Friend
Attacker

26. TURKEY
LAUNCH PAD
4 INF DIV (MECH)
Kurdish rebels IRAN
SYRIA
US - 1 MEF
UK
7 ARMD BDE
16 AIR ASLT BDE
101 AND 82 AB DIVS IRAQ
EARMARKED FOR 3 CDO BDE
CAPTURE OF AIR Hs
AND SPEED UP OPS
JORDAN
US
V CORPS
KUWAIT
SAUDI ARABIA 3 INF DIV (MECH)

27. KAUTILYAN
FOREIGN
POLICY
&
INDIA

28. FOREIGN POLICY
Guiding Principles
 Circle of States formed basis of all policy
formulation.
 A King shall develop the state and peace is
preferred to war.
 Among the states surrounding a kingdom, there
is always one who is the natural enemy.
 The other states may be hostile, friendly or
vassal.
 The enemy shall be eliminated.
 Many aspects of foreign policy are analysed in
terms of out-manoeuvring the enemy.

29. RECOMMENDATIONS
 Pakistan.
• Soulless enemy – always be wary.
• Resolve contentious issues – end „Proxy War‟.
 China – Middle King.
• Improve relations.
• Maintain deterrence.
 Form strong alliances on flanks of the enemy –
Afghanistan & Iran.
 USA – Neutral King – Improve relations.
 Russia - natural ally.
 Israel – enemy of Pakistan therefore an ally.
 Deal with countries as per relevance to circle of
states.

30. FOREIGN POLICY – THE MANDALA THEORY
FRIEND
FRIEND
FRIEND
FRIEND
FRIEND
FOE
FOE
FRIEND
LAKSHADWEEP ANDMAN &
& NICOBAR ISL
9 DEGREE
MINICOY ISL
• MALACCA
EQUATOR

31. CIRCLE OF STATES FAVOURABLE
TO PAKISTAN
NUETRAL
KINGS RUSSIA
USA
AFGHANISTAN CHINA
NEPAL
PAKISTAN MYANMAR
INDIA
IRAN
BANGLADESH
GULF STATES SRI LANKA

32. CIRCLE OF STATES
FAVOURABLE TO INDIA
NUETRAL
KINGS RUSSIA
CAR STATES
USA
AFGHANISTAN
CHINA
NEPAL
PAKISTAN MYANMAR
INDIA
ASEAN STATES
IRAN
BANGLADESH
SRI LANKA
GULF STATES

33. THANK YOU