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Since time immemorial, India has been a civilisation that placed the highest value on the dignity of life, human compassion, and the supremacy of ethics, even in times of war. Unlike many modern states where war is waged solely for conquest or vengeance, the Indian worldview — rooted in its ancient religious, spiritual, and philosophical heritage — upholds a distinct code of conduct known as ‘Dharma Yuddha’ or righteous warfare. The Indian Armed Forces, comprising the Army, Navy, and Air Force, continue to embrace these principles in modern warfare, setting themselves apart on the global stage for their commitment to ethics, rules of war, and the humane treatment of civilians and non-combatants, even in the fiercest conflicts.
India is not merely a landmass marked by borders; it is a land steeped in the wisdom of Lord Shree Ram, Lord Shree Krishna, Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda, and other philosophical torchbearers. The Indian war doctrine is deeply influenced by these guiding lights who advocated that war, though sometimes unavoidable, must never lose its moral compass. India has maintained this position consistently, even in situations of deep provocation by adversarial states like Pakistan.
From the time of the epics like the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, the concept of war in Indian civilisation has been tied to strict moral rules. In the Mahabharata, Lord Shree Krishna, while guiding Arjuna in the battlefield of Kurukshetra, insisted on the principles of Dharma Yuddha — wars fought for justice, truth, and the greater good. He laid down the code that warriors must not attack the unarmed, the wounded, or those who surrender. Civilians were to be spared at all costs. Temples, places of worship, granaries, hospitals, and homes were considered inviolable even during warfare. These ancient Indian war ethics were not mere literary idealism; they were foundational rules which continue to echo in the ethos of the Indian Armed Forces today.
The Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force — recognised among the most disciplined and respected military forces globally — continue to uphold these moral war ethics with unwavering commitment. Unlike some nations whose war strategies have involved indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas or the targeting of cultural and religious sites, India has maintained a firm stance against such tactics. Even during the most intense military operations against Pakistan, whether during the wars of 1947-48, 1965, 1971, or Kargil in 1999, India’s military leadership issued clear directives to avoid civilian casualties and protect non-combatants. The Indian Armed Forces have consciously refrained from targeting public places, civilian settlements, religious centres, schools, and hospitals in Pakistan, despite provocations from across the border.
India's belief in these ethical rules of warfare does not signify weakness. It reflects moral strength, philosophical dignity, and a sense of humanity deeply rooted in Indian civilisation. The country's military strategy embodies the ancient Indian ideal — ‘Vina?aye ca dushkrit?m’ (to destroy the wicked) while preserving the innocent and honouring the rules of Dharma. The 1971 war leading to the liberation of Bangladesh stands as a testimony to India’s adherence to humane warfare. The Indian Army made extraordinary efforts to avoid civilian areas while fighting in East Pakistan, and after achieving military victory, Indian soldiers were lauded by Bangladeshi civilians for their restraint and discipline. Even captured Pakistani soldiers were treated with dignity and respect, in line with international conventions and India's own civilisational code.
This practice was again evident during the 1999 Kargil War, when Indian forces fought to recapture infiltrated posts in Jammu and Kashmir. Despite severe shelling by Pakistan on Indian civilian villages along the border, the Indian military targeted only enemy combatants and strategic positions, sparing civilian areas across the Line of Control (LoC). Indian Air Force missions, including the famous Operation Safed Sagar, were meticulously planned to avoid collateral damage to civilian habitations.
India’s moral position on warfare is drawn not just from modern military training but from centuries of religious, cultural, and philosophical guidance. Lord Shree Ram’s campaign against Ravana, as described in the Ramayana, is considered an ideal example of righteous warfare. Despite Ravana’s multiple wrongdoings and atrocities, Lord Ram extended several chances for peace and avoided harming non-combatants. In the Mahabharata, Lord Shree Krishna advised on avoiding war until absolutely necessary and, even when war became inevitable, urged strict adherence to moral conduct.
Such values also influenced India’s struggle for independence. Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence was itself a continuation of this ancient Indian belief in the sanctity of life and the importance of ethical conduct even in political struggle. Though modern military circumstances differ greatly from ancient battles or colonial resistance, the foundational moral guidance remains unchanged in India’s military engagements.
India's war ethics are not simply inherited values; they are also codified in the operational protocols of the Indian Armed Forces. All personnel undergo training in the Geneva Conventions, which mandate humane treatment of prisoners of war, protection of civilians, and non-targeting of religious or cultural sites. Indian soldiers, sailors, and airmen internalise these principles as not just international obligations but moral duties consonant with the Indian way of life.
Even during counter-insurgency operations within India, such as in Jammu and Kashmir, the Northeast, or Naxalite-affected areas, Indian security forces are guided by strict rules of engagement. Measures are in place to minimise civilian casualties, and any deviations are subject to immediate inquiry. This discipline is a reflection of India’s philosophical dignity — that security should not come at the cost of innocent lives, and that military power must be balanced by moral restraint.
India’s philosophical dignity in matters of war also shapes its foreign policy. The country has consistently stood for peace, international law, and human rights at global platforms. India has avoided alliances that involve aggressive militarism and refrained from participating in wars driven by imperialistic motives. This was evident in India’s decision to remain non-aligned during the Cold War and its consistent advocacy for nuclear disarmament, despite possessing nuclear capability.
When India conducted its nuclear tests in 1998, it declared a No-First-Use (NFU) policy, reflecting its defensive posture and ethical restraint. This doctrine assures that India would never initiate a nuclear strike but would retain the right to respond decisively if attacked. This stands in contrast to the ambiguous or aggressive nuclear doctrines of other nuclear-armed nations, underscoring India’s commitment to the principle that weapons of mass destruction must only serve as deterrents, not instruments of aggression.
India’s religious and cultural diversity has further enriched its philosophy of ethical warfare. The teachings of Lord Buddha, Guru Nanak, Saint Kabir, Swami Vivekananda, and other saints and philosophers consistently emphasised compassion, non-violence, and ethical conduct in all aspects of life, including war. These teachings have permeated the national consciousness, influencing not only civilians but also those in positions of command and authority within the armed forces.
It must be acknowledged that warfare is inherently tragic. However, India’s belief that even in the unavoidable cruelty of battle, there remains a place for humanity and ethics, stands as a beacon of hope in a world often torn apart by unrestrained violence. The Indian Armed Forces, by adhering to these principles, serve not just as protectors of the nation's territorial integrity but also as custodians of its civilisational values.
Today, as global conflicts grow increasingly brutal with attacks on civilians, religious structures, and cultural symbols becoming tragically common, India’s insistence on moral war ethics remains an important example for the world. Its military traditions demonstrate that it is possible to balance strength with compassion, courage with restraint, and strategy with humanity.
India, the sacred land of Lord Shree Ram and Lord Shree Krishna, continues to carry forward the timeless message that might must always be governed by right. The ethical conduct of its Army, Navy, and Air Force in times of war not only preserves India’s philosophical dignity but also affirms the belief that civilisations which uphold humanity in adversity endure far longer than those driven solely by conquest and revenge.
In an era where warfare often descends into brutality, India’s ancient and modern commitment to the ethics of war offers a rare and necessary reminder — that true victory lies not in the number of enemies vanquished but in the dignity preserved, lives protected, and values upheld even amidst the fiercest storms of conflict.
(Views are personal. Email: herambanath2222@gmail.com)
