The Six Forms of Diplomacy From Chanakya

Chanakya gave much importance to diplomacy and war, according to him was the ultimate option to attain a solution. Chanakya states that, for a nation, power is the means to attain stability and peace. Peace is achieved through, careful manipulation of a nation’s power.

Kautilya talks about six forms of policies that should be pursued by the Vijigishu (desirous for or would be world conqueror), which when applied as needed and according to the objectives and circumstances will attain the desired outcome of peace and stability.

These six policies are very important to implement the Mandala Theory in practice and adaptable to the circumstances arising out of the dynamics of political situations.

The Six Policies are

• Sandhi: Peace; defined as “Pledges” by both the nations.
• Vigaraha:Offensive Operation or War
• Yana: Marching the army against the enemy or along the border
• Asana:Showing Indifference or Staying Neutral
• Samasraya: Alliance or Friendship
• Dvaidibhava: Double Dealing ; Making peace with one nation while waging war with another.

Each of these policies can be implemented in any manner and varies according to the dynamics of the political situation faced by the Vijigishu.

1. Sandhi:

Sandhi means Treaty of Alliance or mutual agreement of peace. It means that kings seek to accommodate each other and their political interests as agreed upon, while not resolving to hostile means towards each other.
Sandhi, doesn’t mean that it is a permanent treaty as the validity of the sandhi, depends on the political scenery faced by each king independently, relative powers, economic situations and interests of the kings.

History has seen many nations, enter into treaties to achieve political means and to attain peace.
There are different types of Sandhis.

1.1 Hinasandhi

Simply put, Hinasandhi is a “Treaty of Peace”. Hinasandhi is further classified into 3 parts

1.1 a) Dandopanata:
Dandopanata Sandhi,deals with the subject matter of military and weapons.
In the current context, the Anti-Ballistic Missile(ABM) Treaty between USA and Russia,Strategic Offensive Reduction Treaty(SORT) between USA and Russia etc are fine examples of Dandopanata Sandhi.

1.1 b) Koshapanata:
Kosh means “Treasury” or Store. In Kosapanata Sandhi, finance or Kosh is the main subject of treaty. When two nations sign a mutual agreeable treaty regarding finances for example a Free Trade Agreement between nations, drawing common budget like in European Union, dilution of import duties etc.
This is refereed as Kosapanta Sandhi.

1.1 c) Deshopanata:
When a territory or a land is the subject matter of the treaty it is referred as Deshopanata Sandhi.
The recent land swap between India and Bangladesh, made under the The Land Boundary Agreement is a fine example of Deshopanata Sandhi.

1.2 Sanghavrithi

When Sandhi is used to form an alliance, in order to find solution for a common concern; the treaties under such a Sandhi are of five types

1.2 a) Mitrasandhi:
Mitra means Friend. Mitrasandhi is an alliance based on friendship. It is an alliance based on DEFINITE terms and conditions.
India has signed the Mitrasandhi with Russia under the Indo Soviet Treaty of Friendship in 1971. It was agreed upon by India and USSR that, if USA attacked India while backing Pakistan, USSR would help India.

1.2 b) Hiranyasandhi:
Hiranya means Gold in Sanskrit. Hiranyasandhi is the treaties between two nations for the purpose of accumulation of gold or finances.
When two nations agree to explore a geography to mine natural resources, joint exploration for oil etc can be termed as Hiranyasandhi.
India’s ONGC Videsh having a treaty with PVEP Vietnam to drill for oil in the South China Sea is an example of Hiranyasandhi.

1.2 c) Bhumisandhi:
Bhumi means Earth. An alliance for land. When two nations agree for an acquisition of land, it is called Bhumisandhi.
The tiny nation called Djibouti, situated at the Horn of Africa is the land of six armies where USA maintains their Join Action Task Force.

1.2 d) Karmasandhi:
Karma means Action. Karmasandhi means, a treaties for action. The subject of this treaties is about the use of an army for achieving common objectives.
The NATO alliance is a fine example of Karmasandhi. India signed a Karmasandhi with Srilanka. The Indo-Srilankan treaty of 1988 to use the armies for a common cause of eliminating the LTTE is also an example of Karmasandhi.

1.2 e) Anavasithasandhi:
Anavasitha means Uneven. Anavasitha Sandhi is an agreement with an ally for a help in colonizing an unsettled land.
The help which USA and India is giving for Israel to establish Golan Heights as a part of Israel is an example of Anavasitha Sandhi.

2) Vigraha

Vigraha means War or Hostility. Kautilya strongly agree that states are ALWAYS at war, competing with each other to enhance its power. Therefore, it is very important to have hostile foreign policy towards a few states which are either equal in power or subordinate in power.
Chanakya advises the use of diplomatic maneuvers than an armed conflict with the concept of Vigraha.
According to Kautilya, the neighbor must always be kept under a constant diplomatic warfare.

Kautilya says that, a king should carefully assess the strength and weakness of himself first and that of his adversary before he even thinks about the war. The king should also be aware of potential dangers and make arrangements with allies and other powers to overcome such dangers.

The reason to start a war are many. The usual cause of war between two nations are

1)Desire to attain SUPER POWER status. The wars which the world saw was always and almost to show superiority and to attain a imperial status. This makes the King respected and feared in the Mandala or the region.

2) For self Preservation and protection of the nation. Chanakya prescribes war as a definite option if there is a threat to the very existence of the state itself. Chanakya believes in the maxim of “Prevention is better than cure”. He asked the king to nip the problem in the bud itself by attacking, rather than wait to be attacked by the adversary.
The Doval Doctrine of “OFFENSIVE DEFENSE” is the fine example of Chanakyanithi in this regard.
India bombed the largest network of terrorist training center in South Asia, inside Pakistan at Balakot and killed over 300 terrorists under training. This preemptive strike is one means for Self Preservation of India’s and other world nations interests in the region.

3)To acquire more territory. Kings sought to expand their territories for more resources and elimination or sizing down of enemies. Larger frontiers defend the Kingdom. The newly acquired land act as a buffer between the state and the other kingdom.

4)Restoring Balance of Power. If the balance of power between two states is disturbed due to various reasons which include, trade, politics or policies, war can be exercised to reduce the situation back to equilibrium.

5)War in retaliation for raids. These come under the category of modern day “Surgical Strikes”. This is sending a strong signal to the Ari(enemy) that never mount an attack on the kingdom again.
These are short, decisive operations which take the enemy by surprise, thereby keeping the enemy on the back foot by taking away their confidence to mount another attack against the Kingdom.
For example: The surgical strike done by Prime Minister Modi of India, against Pakistan’s terror launch pads across the Line of Control.

6)War in order to free the oppressed. Kautilya prescribes war in order to rescue the oppressed population of a different nation.
Example, when Pakistan was engaged in massive human rights violation in the then ‘East Pakistan’ today known as Bangladesh, pillaging, raping and looting the citizens, India went into war with Pakistan, defeated them and created a new nation called Bangladesh. India with other world nations took effort to make Bangladesh become a proper nation in all its sense with a democratically elected government in Bangladesh to administer their citizens.
Today, Bangladesh is one of the fastest growing nations in Asia with commendable economy and Forex reserve in the region than Pakistan.

After the war, victory should be celebrated. Kautilya suggest that when the king is victorious, he should take the responsibility of the victory and has the task of restoring peace, reconciliation and settlement.

There are 3 types of Conquerors according to Kautilya.

1)Dharmavijaya:
When the objectives of the war is achieved, the king returns without any spoils of war. A king invades a neighboring country but doesn’t oppress the conquered people. He subdues the enemy and enters into a treaty with them. He hands over the reigns of that land in capable ruler of that land. This way he ensures that the neighborhood is trouble free from civil unrest and also his borders are safe from choleric behavior of neighboring nations.
An example of this is when India invaded the Island of Maldives and thwarted an attempt of Coup D’etat by Abdullah Luthufi and his armed mercenaries.
India intervened with its armed forces and defeated the coup attempt; there by restoring the Government rule back in Maldives.

2)Lobhavijaya:
Lobha means ‘Attracted to money or a gift’. When a ruler conquered a land for profit, money and other resources it is called Lobhavijaya.There are many examples for this type of conquest.
The colonization of India by the British was exactly for the wealth of India.

3)Asuravijaya:
Asuara means ‘Demon’. It is in this conquest where the conqueror takes away everything, including land, money, resources, sons, women etc from the conquered. Kautilya doesn’t prescribe the Asuravijaya because such a warfare is NOT a behavior of a befitting for a wise king.

2.1) Types of War according to Kautilya

Kautilya was a strong thinker with a firm knowledge of Realpolitik. Kautilya proposed two schools of war, Diplomacy and Foreign Relations; Ethical Warfare (Dharmayudha) and the Devious Warfare (Kutayudha). In the era of Kautilya, practitioner from each school was aware of the principles, methods and rules of the other school.The schools of thought were alternate but they worked in tandem when it comes to warfare.
Kautilya used various combinations of these school of thought and laid out 4 types of Warfare.

2.2.1) Dharmayudha:
Dharma in Sanskrit means “Righteousness”.
It is an ethical warfare, which is justified. This warfare is used to do justice on the behalf of the king.
For example, the Balakot Airstrikes done by India in response to raids conducted by Pakistani terrorists inside India.

2.2.2)Prakashayudha:
Prakash means light in Sanskrit, it also means disclose.
Prakashayudha refers to Open War, or Overt war. This is a full scale war fought in broad day light. During the era of Chanakya, war was fought only under the day light. Attack during night was considered cowardly and dishonorable.
In the modern times, 1971 war between India and Pakistan can be considered as an example of Prakashayudha.

2.2.3) Kutayudha:
Kuta means Deceitful in Sanskrit. Kutayudha means a treacherous or covert warfare. Chanakya calls Guerrilla warfare as Kutayudha because they carry out the attack in a treacherous mode. Most of the attacks are carried out under the cover of the darkness.
Kautilya says that Kutayudha can be resorted to under the circumstances presented by the enemy.
One such reason is when the King has to survive a very strong invader, Kutayudha can be applied to win the situation.
Another reason Kautilya says fit enough for Kutayudha is when the King is dethroned by an adversary, Kutayudha can be used to overthrow the adversary to gain back the Kingdom.
In the modern day, the fights done by Che Guevara can be called as Kutayudha.

2.2.4) Nimnayudha:
Nimna means low in Sanskrit.This refers to silent warfare. This is highly dishonorable in the ancient times. We see modern day warfare using Nimnayudha as a means of today Asymmetric Warfare.
It is in Nimnayudha, we see conspiracies and other perverted and lowly methods used deliberately to gain military success.

2.2.5) Akasayudha
Akasa means sky in Sanskrit. Akasayudha is Aerial Fighting. Chanakya advises the means of Akasyaudha to conquer the enemy.

3.Yana

Yana means preparation to March for warfare. Before the army marches forward and embark on a war, the king should ensure that his kingdom is properly safeguarded. The conqueror should lead an expedition against the enemy in the front only after making peace with the rear enemy.

A king should only march when he is confident that his forces will be able to destroy the enemies work and attain the objectives of war.
War is always the domain of opportunity. The opportunity to defeat the enemy is presented by the enemy itself. Adhering to that, if the conqueror finds his enemy beset by troubles, his subjects disaffected and disunited, his kingdom ravaged by epidemic and other ills, his economy in shambles, then he may attack.

4. Asana

Asana means “Stay” in Sanskrit. This is a stage of ‘Armed Neutrality’. Kautilya says that by attaining a condition of ‘Armed Neutrality’ war can be avoided or prolonged and peace can be established. Kautilya also advises the use of diplomacy in this phase to de-escalate a situation.

The nuclear tests by India and Pakistan in 1998 maintained the ‘Balance of Power’ in the South Asian Region.
This same condition applies to the USA- Russia relationship when it comes to armed conflicts.

5. Samasraya

The condition of policy, where a strong state protects the weaker state. This is where the concept of “BUFFER STATE” is born in warfare. A stronger state in order to protect itself from an equal power uses a third state, where an alliance formed with the third state is used as a shield to defend itself from potential adversary.

For example, India defended Bhutan from china during the 2017-Doklam Standoff. India in order to protect a strategic geography for itself, protected Bhutan,a neighboring country from a potential and high handed Chinese invasion.

This form of arrangement is used as and when the situation demands and according the situation at political levels.

6. Dvaidibhava

Dva means ‘Dual’ and Bhava means ‘Manner’
Dvaidibhava means Duplicity or Double Dealing. Kautilya says, a king should be able to make peace with one and wage war with another. Utopia doesn’t brew in real world and duplicity is one of the ways things unravel in real world.

This strategy of double dealing is used by large and strong states. Kautilya has elaborately worked this strategy with his Mandala concept.
India has used this strategy to balance china and Pakistan.

According to Chanakya, there are 5 versions of Dvaidibhava.

6.1) Mithyachitha:
Mithya means ‘Incorrect’ and Chitta means ‘Intention’.
Mithachitha means wearing a false face. To elaborate at one level, it is like pretending to be friendly with a nation in public but working against that nation behind their back.

6.2) Mithyavachanasamyam:
MIthya means ‘ Incorrect’, Vachan means ‘ Promise ‘, Asamyam means ‘Difference”. Collectively the word means, ‘To say one thing, keeping in mind exactly the opposite’.

In 1933 Adolf Hitler said he had no intention of attacking Poland but he attacked Poland in 1939, which started the Second World War.

6.3) Mithyakarana:
This is a very shrewd method of double dealing where a king does something for the good of another country, but in the process, subverting the objectives to serve his own interests.

6.4) Ubhayavethana:
Ubhaya means ‘Both ways’ and Vethana means ‘Payment’. This is where a King act as a DOUBLE AGENT .
Here the weaker king who is under the protection of a stronger king, works against his protector, the stronger king, by accepting gifts from an enemy king.

6.5) Yugmaprabhritaka:
This is where a King, in the pretext of a cause collects money and men but use it for another expedition of self interest.

This can very well be related to the state of affairs of many nations, who divert the AID money from UN and other nations to buy weapons and use it against another nation for racial genocide.

These six forms of diplomacy can be used in various combinations and permutations depending on the situation provided by the political environment and must be used to gain the maximum benefits. Chanakya advises the king to use this six forms of diplomacy over the Mandala and not to stop until he conquers the whole world.

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Author: Sorcerer

Image Courtesy:NBT

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