M.S. Prathibha

China's deployment of nuclear forces are diversifying in an effort to achieve effective deterrence against its adversaries. Whereas the robustness of its nuclear posture might mean that it is moving away from its limited arsenal, however, its strategies and patterns of deployment indicate the PLA Rocket Forces are focused on improving its response and coordination for a seamless and rapid counter-strike, updating its strategy of deployment of missile systems to reduce its vulnerabilities in the post-missile defence nuclear environment and integrate its nuclear responses to portray an effective deterrence.

• Published: 2023
• Monograph

China has considerably improved its missile defence capabilities which is generally thought as a way to counter the US nuclear superiority after the abolition of the ABM Treaty. However, the Chinese responses show a broader understanding that the US nuclear superiority is more than a competition to reduce the efficiency of the Chinese deterrence.

• Published: 2023
• Monograph

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr MS Prathibha's article ‘Managing China's Expectations of India’ has been published in Outlook on 5 May 2023.

The Chinese expect India to place the border issue in what they call an ‘appropriate position’ and wants normalised management. For India, however, normalcy could be restored when the military forces disengage from the remaining friction areas at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), says Dr Prathibha.

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• Published: 5 May, 2023

The PLA Western Theatre Command has focused on joint operations capabilities to counter the perceived lack of air superiority and information dominance in the theatre, which it believes is required for strike operations.

• Published: November 02, 2022
• Issue Brief

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr MS Prathibha’s opinion piece, ‘Xi Jinping's Vision and 20th Party Congress’ has been published in ‘The New Indian Express’, on 22 October 2022.

For Xi, the threat to the Communist Party of China is not democracy as believed in the West but hidden capital, says Dr Prathibha.

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• Published: 22 October, 2022

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has established a leadership and command system to enhance its capability to conduct joint operations.

• Published: October 17, 2022
• Issue Brief

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr MS Prathibha’s article ‘North Korea's Nuclear Nexus with Pakistan: India's Choices’ was published in the YTHARTH Magazine, Vol I, Issue II, September 2022.

• Published: 17 October, 2022

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA Dr MS Prathibha’s article, ‘What are the Constraints to closer India-US Partnership’ has been published in the Outlook on 26 April 2022.

Even hawkish Indian thinkers who push for enhancing nuclear and conventional deterrence against China have some concerns regarding the India-US cooperation, says Dr Prathibha.

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• Published: 26 April, 2022

China’s varied winter planning logistics show a broader strategy to gain mastery over high-altitude conditions and increase combat preparedness against India.

• Published: February 14, 2022
• IDSA Comments

Post 2015 reforms, the Western Theatre Command (WTC) of the PLA has been transforming itself into a joint theatre command that can fight wars against an adversary like India. Considering that India and China are involved in a border standoff, any strengthening of WTC’s combat capabilities is likely to have an immense impact on India.

• Published: November 09, 2021
• Issue Brief