https://www.scmp.com/rss/525299/feed Gaurav Kumar is a researcher at the Centre for Professional Military Education in the United Service Institution of India, New Delhi. He holds a master’s degree in international Relations from the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (2020–2022), and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Banaras Hindu University. He is currently pursuing a PhD in political science from the Central University of Rajasthan, focusing on radicalisation and political killings in India... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Gaurav Kumar Gaurav Kumar In 2025, India approved a number of major defence packages, together worth US$30 billion. Such rapid procurement approvals are relatively rare by Indian standards. However, what they signal to the region will depend less on such announcements and more on actual outcomes. To some observers, especially after India’s four-day clash with Pakistan during what the former called “Operation Sindoor” last May, the surge appears to mark the start of a regional arms race. That interpretation is... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3339491/india-fuelling-arms-race-asia-or-closing-deterrence-gap?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3339491/india-fuelling-arms-race-asia-or-closing-deterrence-gap?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Jan 2026 21:30:09 +0000