Opinion The other great game
There has been much debate in the past regarding Indias unwillingness to use air power when it fought its war with China in 1962.
There has been much debate in the past regarding Indias unwillingness to use air power when it fought its war with China in 1962. But India is a much more confident state economically and militarily today. Recently,India has positioned four Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter jets at Tezpur,in the Northeast. This Indian Air Force base is particularly strategically located; India is expected to position a full squadron comprising of 18 aircraft at this base. A similar squadron might well be placed at one more airfield (Chabua) in the region.
Positioning these multi-role fighters could be said to be one of the important measures taken by India to strengthen its defences against China. A few months back,two old but non-operational airfields Daulat Beg Oldi and Fuk Che in the Ladakh region were opened. These are both very close to the line of actual control. India also proposes to operationalise the Neoma Advanced Landing Ground,and may even convert it into a full-fledged runway. Of course,all these airfields are dual-purpose,and could support the tourism sector during peacetime.
Apart from strengthening its air defences India is also planning to put two army divisions,each comprising around 25,000 to 30,000 troops,along with corresponding artillery,medical,signals and engineering support,in the region.
All these Indian moves clearly indicate that India is strengthening its defences,particularly along the Chinese border. Asking why this activity has started all of a sudden particularly when no imminent threat appears to be coming from that sector is actually the wrong question; given that for four decades China has built up strategic potential all along the Indian border in some form or other. The right question is why India has started belatedly.
The rise of China over the years has witnessed rapid growth in various sectors,including defence. With regard to India its policy has always been that of ambivalence. After 1962,it has not used any direct military route to confront India; however,it has kept the pot boiling by raising border issues every now and then,by assisting Pakistan whenever and however possible,and through successful and unsuccessful attempts to thwart Indias interests in various fields be it the UN Security Council,an NSG waiver or about purchasing oil fields in Africa. Today,China to a certain extent has succeeded in encircling India. Its interests in Nepal and Myanmar are well known,as is its material support for the recent Sri Lankan operations against the LTTE.
Arunachal Pradesh has become an ever-more sensitive issue for China. Even routine visits to the state by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pratibha Patil have given rise to objections from China. However,India has definitely made something of a statement when the president recently visited Tawang,smack-bang in the middle of the region China considers disputed.
From the Indian point of view it is important to strengthen its force level in the region close to Arunachal Pradesh. The 1962 war in this region was fought at the height of around 14,000 feet. Keeping forces active at this height even during peacetime is a logistical nightmare. No infrastructure development has taken place in this region for many years,further hampering military support. India has an inherent disadvantage in the region,due to unfriendly topography and terrain in comparison with China. Airfields capable of handling transport operations will definitely boost logistical supply and troop reinforcement in a big way.
The truth is that in regard to the Indo-China border issue,India may not receive overwhelming global support. India understands this. Yes,India has a very clear position on the McMahon line; but during October 2008 the British Foreign Secretary David Miliband nevertheless issued a statement that didnt support the 1913 Simla accord,which the British were party to,towards demarcating the India-China border. In view of this,India needs to remain prepared on its own strength. Military preparations cant be only sector-specific. The overall preparedness level of the IAF,given the induction of force multipliers like air-to-air refuelling aircraft and AWACS,is increasing rapidly; and the induction of fighter aircraft in the Northeast clearly gives a signal to China that 1962 is history and India no longer hesitates about air power.
The writer researches non-traditional threats to national security at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses,Delhi
express@expressindia.com
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