‘Sea power in need of big boost’

‘‘To my mind, China is the country to watch out for in the 21st century,’’ he said. With China embarking on an ambitious programme to modernise its navy, and its plural security concerns — extending far beyond India’s immediate borders — the country’s strategic encirclement may well be complete, he said.

The session was presided over by Punjab Governor Lt Gen (Retd) J.F.R. Jacob. Among those who attended was Defence analyst Jasjit Singh.

Jacob expressed concern over China’s development of Gwadar port in Pakistan. ‘‘We lost strategic leverage with the annexation of Tibet. Today, China has made major inroads into the IOR. Myanmar’s geo-strateigic location and its ability to allow Chinese access to the Indian Ocean is a reality which cannot be wished away.’’ Chinese assistance facilities on Coco Islands are being upgraded and new navy bases are being established at Mergva and Hanji, he said.

The Pokhran-II explosions and the Kargil episode show the need for restructuring Indian defence in particular and the national security set-up in general, Jacob said.

An integrated approach towards surveillance by making good use of technology is the need of the hour. ‘‘Victory in future combat will be dependent on information superiority. Information warfare, both offensive and defensive, is far cheaper than conventional warfare.’’

He said the cost of conventional arms and forces has increased in an exponential fashion. ‘‘We have to think seriously of downsizing our armed forces, manpower, and establishment costs.’’

The submarine, he said, is among the most potent of naval platforms. So the Navy should restart its indegenous submarine building programme to induct and build nuclear-powered submarines. Speeding the induction of carriers by buying as well as by indigenous construction is the need of the hour, he said.

Jasjit Singh, delivering the vote of thanks, stressed on the need to focus on ‘‘our actual national interests’’. The day ended with an interactive question-answer session.