| Summary/Abstract |
Deterrence meant different things to different people at different times. Disagreement on the meaning of deterrence led to divergent interpretations. However, since the challenge which deterrence seeks to answer is capable of assuming different forms, the concept of deterrence too has unavoidably assumed different roles. Defined in simple words, deterrence means providing unmistakable evidence of retaliatory capacity to the enemy with a view to deterring him from initiating any military move for gains. It operates as the “skillful non-use of military forces”. General Beaufre said:
“The object of deterrence is to prevent an enemy power taking the decision when faced with a given situation to act or react in the light of the existence of a set of dispositions which constitute an effective threat. The result, which it is desired to achieve, is therefore a psychological one and it is sought by means of a threat.”
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