Is India too defensive and tolerant when its \ncore national security is threatened? Has it been a ‘soft state’ in \nresponding to terrorist provocations from Pakistan and territorial \nencroachments from China? Does India lack a strategic culture of raising the \ncosts of aggression by its two principal adversaries? The past record of the \nIndian state has been questioned on such grounds. But this changed during the \nprime ministership of Narendra Modi. Guided by a ‘security first’ vision and \nthe doctrine of ‘offensive defense’, his government sought to alter the \nstrategic calculus of India’s opponents by credibly demonstrating a \nwillingness to use commensurate military force and apply diplomatic and \neconomic pressure. Crunch Time: Narendra Modi’s National Security Crises \ngives a comprehensive analysis of how ‘new India’ conducted itself during \nepisodes of major national security crises. It is a testament to how a \nstrong-willed political leadership with mass social support can transform a \ncountry’s strategic culture and deter its foes.