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During World War II, the Empire of Japan, a small island nation with a population of about 72 million, overpowered the Republic of China, a country seven times larger in population and ten times larger in landmass. Japan achieved this feat not just through military strength, but also by exploiting internal divisions within China at that time. Similarly, the British capitalized on internal divisions in India through their infamous divide-and-rule strategy. This historical pattern of powerful empires leveraging internal divisions for their benefit can also be observed in more recent events, such as Russia’s actions in Crimea in 2014.
Today, China poses a significant threat to India, both economically and militarily. China’s ambition to annex territories from its neighbouring countries is well-documented. While direct military confrontation with India is impractical for China due to India’s formidable military strength and large population, China could exploit internal divisions within India to advance its objectives. The BJP, with its track record of employing divisive politics under the guise of a “pro-Hindutva agenda,” inadvertently fosters an atmosphere of distrust and animosity among the populace, which could be exploited by China. While other political parties in India also engage in divisive politics, the BJP is particularly scrutinized as the ruling party at the centre.
China’s use of technology could exacerbate India’s already growing internal divisions. China possesses significant technological capabilities, which could facilitate the dissemination of misinformation through Indian social media, potentially inciting riots and social unrest. For instance, in 2020, China launched a disinformation campaign against Taiwanese President Lai Cheng Te in an attempt to influence elections. Reports from Microsoft have also highlighted Chinese interference in elections in the US, India, and South Korea, utilizing artificial intelligence and misinformation campaigns. The US State Department’s Global Engagement Centre has warned that Beijing’s information operations could undermine the stability of numerous countries globally. If China were successful in spreading misinformation and sowing discord on Indian social media, even a country as powerful as India would be vulnerable to internal disruptions, despite its nuclear and military capabilities.
The threat posed by a neighbour like China is too significant to ignore, and the only viable solution to prevent such a scenario is a shift in the political approach of not only the BJP but all political parties in India. They must move away from narrow, self-serving agendas focused solely on winning elections by any means possible, towards a broader approach that also prioritizes national interests like unity, stability, and security along with election victories .
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Your article is an example of severe divisive and polarising behaviour.
First make sure ur articles are not judgemental and then
Thank you for your feedback,will keep that in mind