Eyes in the Sky, Questions on the Ground: Drone Warfare, International Law, and India’s Struggle with Sovereignty, Targeting, and Accountability
- NLR Journal
- Jun 16
- 1 min read
By Akshat Hegde & Balpreet Kaur Bhatti, Kes Shri Jayantilal H Patel Law College, Mumbai.
Abstract
The rise of drone warfare has shattered traditional paradigms of modern conflict, thrusting India into a precarious battlefield where sovereignty, precision, and accountability collide. International law stands as a fragile shield, anchored by the UN Charter’s prohibition on force but strained by relentless threats from non-state actors exploiting legal grey zones. As drone strikes blur borders and challenge distinctions between war zones and civilian spaces, India grapples with unprecedented dilemmas. The 2021 Jammu drone attack was a stark wake-up call, exposing glaring legal gaps and the vulnerability of vital installations to unseen enemies. Despite regulatory strides like the Unmanned Aircraft System Rules, India’s legal arsenal remains ill-equipped, relying on outdated penal codes while institutional coordination falters. Privacy battles rage under the shadow of surveillance, compounding the challenge. Echoing through courts and corridors of power are landmark rulings—Nicaragua v. United States and Hassan v. UK—reminding us that state responsibility and human rights extend beyond borders. In this high-stakes arena, India faces an urgent imperative: to fortify its legal frameworks and champion a new international order that holds non-state actors accountable without compromising human dignity. The future of drone warfare demands not just technological mastery but an unyielding commitment to ethical sovereignty and justice.
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