The impression is that India’s elite public opinion has not totally woken up to the consequences of underestimating China’s capacity for assertive action.
Shashi Tharoor
As Narendra Modi becomes India’s second-longest consecutively serving Prime Minister, we look at how he compares with Indira Gandhi across four key dimensions.
China is an untrustworthy country as far as Indian security is concerned and it desperately wants to exhibit its assertive posture by its shrill and intemperate warnings. But India so far resisted the Chinese emotional black mail and PM Modi was with his classic silence stuck to his position. But, Yes, China could not swallow the bitter pill of India asserting on Doklam or asking the Chinese to maintain the status quo. Therefore, if China wants to save its face and assertive, then it will resort to an armed conflict with India whereby it wants to send a message to the East Asian countries that it would not tolerate any questioning of its super power status. But India is also prepared for a bloody war with its troops and armoury moved to the forward bases including keeping a watch on the long border to prevent any Chinese misadventure. Now the issue has come to such a situation where both China and India are prepared for a show down.
A good article.There is no meaning in getting afraid of any,including China.China should know that India is not the India of 1962.No doubt China is a bigger power,but they should not undemind India.At any cost we have every right to protect our Interests.We will fight to the last.
Hi Shashi, I get what you are saying, even taking your point that we should not be complacent about the standoff. What I’m confused about is, what is the point of this article? Are you suggesting we agree to whatever China is doing and demanding? Are you saying, our government, should start evacuating people from border area? Are you saying there is something else which our government/ media/ civil society must do? Are you suggesting that we blow up China pre-emptively by nuke? What is your point and how does it differ from what has been done till now to manage this standoff? BTW I’m not a BJP Bhakt or online troll, I’m genuinely interested to know. Thank you for your attention and hope you at least read this, even if you wont reply. I admire your clarity of speech and thought and hope to benefit from your further clarification.
There are elements of huge risks and great benefits involved for both the countries and, their political leadership if skirmishes break out between them. But the gains far out weigh the risks for both of them especially, for India.
China will emerge as a true rival to US if it manages to subdue India. But stands to lose its current position as a probable world power if it suffers a bloody nose at the hands of Indians. President Xi may then be in thick soup.
India on the other hand will become a regional leader and a rallying point for ASEAN nations, if it manages to gain an upper hand in the conflict. Else, if it suffers at the hands of Chinese military then it will have to step back for a while to nurse it’s wounds.
Overall, China will always have the fear of a wounded Tiger which can then be a nuisance to its trading routes passing through Indian Ocean. Mr Modi, if he manages to outwit China, will be heralded to the world stage and stake a claim for India as permanent member of Security Council.
I WILL GO A STEP FURTHER WITH TRUMP DERIDING PAKISTAN CHINA WILL OPEN A FRONT ON THE WEST WITH OR WITHOUT PAK OR IN THE MIDDLE SECTOR WE HAVE ANTAGONISED KASHMIRIS NEPALESE WITH OUR UNFRIENDLY ATTITUDE BRICS OR PARTY CONGRESS IS OF NO CONSEQUENCE TO CHINA HARRED FOR A RELIGION AND FOREIGN POLICY ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS HOPE POEERS THAT BE PONDER
Well written article.
China is an untrustworthy country as far as Indian security is concerned and it desperately wants to exhibit its assertive posture by its shrill and intemperate warnings. But India so far resisted the Chinese emotional black mail and PM Modi was with his classic silence stuck to his position. But, Yes, China could not swallow the bitter pill of India asserting on Doklam or asking the Chinese to maintain the status quo. Therefore, if China wants to save its face and assertive, then it will resort to an armed conflict with India whereby it wants to send a message to the East Asian countries that it would not tolerate any questioning of its super power status. But India is also prepared for a bloody war with its troops and armoury moved to the forward bases including keeping a watch on the long border to prevent any Chinese misadventure. Now the issue has come to such a situation where both China and India are prepared for a show down.
A good article.There is no meaning in getting afraid of any,including China.China should know that India is not the India of 1962.No doubt China is a bigger power,but they should not undemind India.At any cost we have every right to protect our Interests.We will fight to the last.
Hi Shashi, I get what you are saying, even taking your point that we should not be complacent about the standoff. What I’m confused about is, what is the point of this article? Are you suggesting we agree to whatever China is doing and demanding? Are you saying, our government, should start evacuating people from border area? Are you saying there is something else which our government/ media/ civil society must do? Are you suggesting that we blow up China pre-emptively by nuke? What is your point and how does it differ from what has been done till now to manage this standoff? BTW I’m not a BJP Bhakt or online troll, I’m genuinely interested to know. Thank you for your attention and hope you at least read this, even if you wont reply. I admire your clarity of speech and thought and hope to benefit from your further clarification.
There are elements of huge risks and great benefits involved for both the countries and, their political leadership if skirmishes break out between them. But the gains far out weigh the risks for both of them especially, for India.
China will emerge as a true rival to US if it manages to subdue India. But stands to lose its current position as a probable world power if it suffers a bloody nose at the hands of Indians. President Xi may then be in thick soup.
India on the other hand will become a regional leader and a rallying point for ASEAN nations, if it manages to gain an upper hand in the conflict. Else, if it suffers at the hands of Chinese military then it will have to step back for a while to nurse it’s wounds.
Overall, China will always have the fear of a wounded Tiger which can then be a nuisance to its trading routes passing through Indian Ocean. Mr Modi, if he manages to outwit China, will be heralded to the world stage and stake a claim for India as permanent member of Security Council.
This article is very well researched, logical and written by a person who knows what he is talking about!
I WILL GO A STEP FURTHER WITH TRUMP DERIDING PAKISTAN CHINA WILL OPEN A FRONT ON THE WEST WITH OR WITHOUT PAK OR IN THE MIDDLE SECTOR WE HAVE ANTAGONISED KASHMIRIS NEPALESE WITH OUR UNFRIENDLY ATTITUDE BRICS OR PARTY CONGRESS IS OF NO CONSEQUENCE TO CHINA HARRED FOR A RELIGION AND FOREIGN POLICY ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS HOPE POEERS THAT BE PONDER