“Producer-Centred Research” (PCR) is deployed to find diplomatic practices, explain them in diplomat’s terms, and so highlight untheorised possibilities and risks in international politics. PCR reveals that Indian diplomacy is organised by defence. Unlike offence, defensive actors secure security by being less offensive than opponents. Since they are not instigated, arsenals are minimised. Moreover, defence maintains sovereignty and retains control since opponents are not responded to, which also denies them the right to offense. Defence’s cost is courage, such as choosing to live in the shadow of nuclear annihilation. PCR also discloses India cast off the courage requisite of defence, in the 2019 strike against Balakot. The intensity of the intention to discard courage is apparent in the risks New Delhi generated by equating India with Pakistan, permitting it to escalate the conflict, and so imperilling humanity in a manner beyond history.