Indian Defence Review

An equidistant map of the world centered on Delhi. Showing true bearings and distance from Delhi. Excerpted from: Transition to Guardianship: The Indian Navy 1991-2000

Though the Non-alignment Movement is languishing as a vestigial organisation in geo politics, Indian diplomats suffer from yesteryear hangovers and cling on to its decrepit concepts.  As I had written sometime back; it is perfectly in order to engage Pakistan on J&K bilaterally as it covers under the Shimla Agreement of 1972, however, the same template is a disaster while dealing with China.  China is always charry to engage multilaterally with ASEAN on its annexation of the South China Sea or on the Code of Conduct. While dealing with China it has to be multilateral and we need strong and formidable allies.  It is high time we come out of our shadows of non-alignment and have strong and reliable allies while dealing with China. What are our options?

Quad is an informal group comprising four nations; Japan, the US, India and Australia as partners.  It was formed in 2007 and further impetus was given in 2017.  India was not forthcoming as it was always looking over its shoulders towards China; seemingly gauging its reaction? India was wary to incur China’s displeasure and ensured that it was not a defence alliance.  Each time, be it our foreign minister or our official spokesperson would always go out of turn to convey that the grouping is not aligned against any country in particular.  Unwittingly, such assurances further enhance the suspicions of China as it is very obvious that no other country in the region can qualify for such dubious distinction for being worthy of collective targeting by regional and extra-regional powers. It was conveying the obvious without having to state it in specifics.

QUAD neither has a permanent secretariat nor a permanent headquarters.  It was basically formed with an eye on China. However, lost its steam when Australia dropped out of the grouping for three years and re-joined in 2010.  Thanks to China; its unabated belligerence and unbridled hostility towards all littoral and border countries catalysed a network of hostile groupings around it. I really do not want to recount its endless forays into the East China Sea to lay claim to the Senkaku Islands under Japanese control.  Its steadfast opposition to the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea and bullying of the littoral countries by executing small but significant military actions enabled it to establish a national territory over international waters in contravention to the UNCLOS.  It only shows its absolute scorn to international rules and laws and utter disdain towards rights of smaller powers.  Its contemptuous spurning of the verdict of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) that had unequivocally ruled that China has no claim over the South China Sea, shows its aversion to rule-based international order. 

China has annexed 90 percent of the international waters of the South China Sea as its national territory.  Nine dash line, though formed in 1947, was formally given by China to the UN for the first time in 2009.  A tenth dash was drawn in 2013 to show Taiwan also within the proposed extent.  The dashes are not plain dashes as most understand; each dash has three corrugated small dashes with one dot each in the two gaps. It is similar to the Chinese Land Border which of course is continuous unlike the dashes of the South China Sea which support a gap of 200 to 300 nm between them.   A close look at the markings of the maritime border show that it has been marked in the same way as the national territory of the land border. Hence, China minces no words to claim the South China Sea as its territory and not merely its EEZ or territorial waters.

On 9 Aug 2021, the UNSC after a debate on ‘’Enhancing Maritime Security – A Case for International Cooperation” under the chairmanship of PM Modi; all including China agreed to the centrality of UNCLOS as the leading international legal framework governing maritime activity. This was an important admission by China, having violated almost all its clauses.  It shows contradictions in China’s interpretation as it has trashed the ruling of PCA formed under the UNCLOS and at the same time has ratified the law. It also exposes its perfidy as it does not know how to handle its duplicity; agreeing to the clauses where it is advantageous, and repudiating those which do not suit it.

After its annexation of the South China Sea, China continued with its belligerence towards Australia as the latter had sounded the bugle to inquire into the origin of Covid 19. If China is really not guilty of any lapse in the origin of the Covid, then it should be as keen as Australia to find out the origin of the deadly pandemic that has already taken nearly 5 million lives across the world.  The Chinese official press even threatened Australia that China would subject it to missile attacks should it interfere in Taiwan Straits.

China, with its hubris has unleashed its wolf diplomats and has driven itself into a geopolitical corner. Just as it pushed Australia into a defence alliance; AUKUS and ensured its need to have nuclear powered submarines; it also pushed India firmly into QUAD and the grouping has started operating on an expanded agenda; thus, squeezing the strategic space of China.  The free and open Indo Pacific without any expansion and coercion in international waters has been reiterated in the new agenda; precisely targeting China during the Quad Summit Meeting held last month.

President Biden has worked out a network of defence alliances in the Indo-Pacific. The Mutual Defence Treaty since the 1953 and stationing of 26,000 US troops in South Korea has tied them into a defence alliance, though initially against North Korea has taken a new meaning recently.  In May 2021, during the visit of President Moon to the US they realigned their defence ties; that the US and South Korea will work together for peace and stability in Taiwan Straits.  This of course would be in addition to the threat emanating from North Korea; all the same it implies that the troops, resources of South Korea and its geographical area could be used against China in case of an attack by the PLA on Taiwan?

A Mutual Defence Treaty between Taiwan and the USA was operative from 1954 to 1979.  After the US recognised ‘One China Policy’ the treaty ended and the ‘Taiwan Relationship Act’ has held its sway.  Act 3 of the Act does not talk of defence pact; it envisages that should there be any danger to Taiwan or to the American interest, the President will inform the Congress and an appropriate decision would be taken in response to such a danger. China in response has codified its ‘Anti- Secession Law in 2005’ that permits the use of force for unification of Taiwan.

China’s out and out aggressive air intrusions into Taiwanese airspace with 149 sorties in the beginning of this month in defiance to the navies of the US, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Canada on a joint exercise operating to the East of the island, is indicative of its resolve to take on the combined might of the US and its allies on the Taiwan issue.  I somehow still feel that the series of air intrusions by PLAAF in different configurations is indicative of a more sinister design.  The plan is designed to lull the Taiwanese Defence Forces into complacency.  I will not be surprised that one such intrusion becomes a full-fledged offensive to forcibly unite the country.  Such a possibility will be sooner than later and most probably would be before the 20th National Congress of CPC in Oct 2022, justifying Xi continuance at pole position in the CPC: There is certain unease in the Polit Bureau of CPC at Xi for crowning himself for life. 

Taiwan and her allies should not get surprised and ensure their surveillance resources are assiduously and continuously deployed to discern ground preparations in Fujian Province and at air bases in Eastern, Central and Southern Theatre Commands for possible Airborne Operations.  Concentrations of ground forces probably in the guise of exercise, marshalling of landing crafts, isolating Taiwan physically by air, sea and electronically would be a prelude to such an invasion.  Other Theatre Commands will be able to provide troops for the operations without having to concentrate and retain the element of surprise. 

Recent photographs have revealed that three air bases in Longtian, Huian and Zhangzhou are being upgraded, all of which are located in Fujian Province and are 160 to 300 Kms from Taiwan.  President of Taiwan Ms Tsai lng-wen has asked her military commanders to turn the island into a fortress, similar to a porcupine; obviously, she is aware of the danger and has sought long range missiles from the US.

In spite of such belligerence by China, I was slightly disappointed with the speech by President Biden at the 76th UNGA.  Not a word on the origins of Covid Pandemic, not a word against China on its annexation of the South China Sea, not a word on China’s offensive in Ladakh and the standoff with India though the latter being a vibrant democracy and a close ally.  Only place where there was some reference to China was while mentioning the Human Rights abuses across the world; Xinjiang was mentioned one among other places.  After having called Xi Jinping a ‘Thug’ last year, President Biden had a telephone call with him last month and commenced trade and defence negotiations.  Trade talks ended in impasse as the US wanted China to change its practices that harm the interests of its firms and workers; however, China wanted the US to create a more conducive environment for development of trade and economic ties between the two countries. Earlier, the Defence Officials from both the countries also met to open communication at the height of strained relations. Other than breaking the ice figuratively, no progress was made.

So, what is President Biden really up to?  Can we trust him?  After our disastrous experience earlier with President Nixon and Kissinger; the confidence that we can repose in the US is always under an odium of distrust.  Even to this day, there is hesitation in drawing India closer; you must have heard the White House Press Secretary saying in no uncertain terms that India and Japan will not be a part of AUKUS.  As the QUAD was already in existence it would have been easier for the UK to join the grouping with the acronym AUKUSIJ; however, it was not to be; and, why should it be? 

India has never been an unconditional friend of the US.  Our so-called policy of ‘non-Alignment’ ensured that we had no friends and defence alliances when China attacked India in 1962.  A weak, doddering and a hungry India should have jumped into defence alliances with the West.  If we were in CENTO or SEATO; would it have been possible for China to launch an offensive against India and capture Aksai Chin?  We lost 37,555 Sq. Kms of our territory due to our feeble policy of ‘non-alignment’ and still we have not learnt a lesson.  Why? We still want to tackle the Ladakh intrusion bilaterally without involving other countries.  No doubt; we should develop a defence capability to take on China but it does not mean that we make it easy for it to intrude into our territory without international recrimination.  In case of a conflict with China; how and why will the US support us?  Without a formal defence treaty will it only be a lip service?  We can rest assured that Russia will be watching the conflict closely without batting an eyelid or raising a finger, then India expects what from others?  Yes; a steady supply of weapons, munitions and equipment from Israel, the US, France, Britain and possibly from Russia. 

I have no doubts India will do its fighting on its borders without external help.  What needs to be done is to keep Pakistan coerced so that it does not open its front? What would be invaluable, if AUKUS and QUAD open a new front on China’s Pacific Sea Board.  Will they, do it?  There is a need to hem China from two fronts and that is what we should expect from the US and her allies. Our Navy should operate with our allies of QUAD and interdict Chinese oil and trade Sea Lanes in the Indian Ocean.  This can happen only if the QUAD transforms itself into a Defence Alliance.  Japan is willing, Australia is waiting and the US will be pleased but will India have the political will? With the present dispensation of the Duo of Jaishankar and Doval; I very much doubt that such advice would ever be given to the PM, who has the political will should he get the right advice.

Just have a look at our own house whose external face is managed by the duo; we did not once mention the Chinese intrusion in Ladakh either at the speech in UNGA or during the Quad Summit Meeting. It was followed by the SCO and also BRICS; not once the intrusion was referred.  The New Delhi Declaration of the BRICS meet on 9 Sep 2021 opposed the politicization of Covid origins thus negating any chance for a second investigation into its origin.  There were also other taglines like rejecting unilateralism and hegemonism and upholding respect for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity which China has no problems endorsing; in fact, it accuses India for violating its territorial integrity.  China fully understands that lying confidently and repeatedly creates doubts even in those minds who know it to be lies?   One has to appreciate the Chinese leadership of their highly cultivated body language which really hides their inner misgivings.

China literally went scot-free with no mention of her expansionism in Ladakh.  However, the Indian PM mentioned at the 76th UNGA about the open and free Indo-Pacific and reiterated that there should be no exclusion or expansion of oceans, apparently directing his ire on China in the South China Sea.  He also said that the UN has failed in finding the origin of Covid and also has lost its credibility in enabling countries to manipulate rankings in ‘Ease of Doing Business’; both these points have scored a ‘Bull’s Eye’ at China.

In recent weeks China is emboldened further as there were no recriminations against it and does not see any threat of its international isolation.  It has bared its fangs by its rigidity in the 13th Military Commanders’ Meeting and has blamed India for unreasonable demands for the failure of the Meeting. It has hyped its military activities across Tunjun La in Barahoti, and in Tawang Sector.  Let there be no doubt it will up the ante in the coming months and is planning to build a chain of anti-India bulwark linking Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nepal.  China, no doubt plans to wean Bhutan away from India by signing an MOU for a ‘Three Step Roadmap’ for resolving the Boundary Dispute, with a hope that Bhutan also can be coerced to join the anti-India bulwark at some point of time in future.

Roadmap for India

Please refer to my article titled ‘Resolve the Impasse in Ladakh; Lest we Lose Depsang’.  We are at the cusp of losing Depsang; a territory of over 900 Sq Kms.  As referred earlier; we lost a major part of Aksai Chen in 1962 and previous years as we followed a policy of ‘non-alignment’. This policy is the refuge of the weak and helpless nations.  The US itself has a number of allies in the EU, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines.  Then, why is India sheepish about being an ally; more so when we are facing multiple threats. Being an ally does not mean that we have surrendered our strategic autonomy; what use is such an autonomy when we do not have strategic capabilities and are forced to yield territory to China?  It is we, who have to plead with China for each meeting of the Military Commanders.  How long do we intend to remain in a state of supplication?  Meanwhile; Depsang Plains will continue to be denied to us and the occupation by the Chinese will become permanent. No time to be lost.

India should accept QUAD to transform into a Defence Alliance.  Article 5 of the NATO should be adopted by the QUAD; an attack on any of the members is considered an attack on all others. There should be a permanent headquarters with both Civilian and Defence officers.  It should have a ‘QUAD Force Commander’ with staff from all the four countries. It should have a dedicated Combined Armed Force ready to deal with civil and military contingencies. It should be capable of taking on accretions from member countries depending on the task at hand. Interoperability exercises have to be honed up as it has been done in Malabar Phase I and II.  The last mentioned is presently operative in the Bay of Bengal.

Look at the possibility to enhance the membership of QUAD to include Vietnam, Philippines, South Korea and Indonesia. A beginning was made at the virtual summit meeting in Mar 2021 when South Korea, Vietnam and New Zealand joined the Quad Plus meeting.  If Indonesia is also included; all the straits from South China Sea into Indian Ocean; Malacca, Sunda, Lombak and Timor Sea are ipso facto interdicted during a conflict.   Indonesia also has issues with China for the territorial waters of Natuna Sea which have been frequently violated by China as its 9-dash line overlaps it.  Quad Plus as a Defence Alliance can bottle up China. European countries like France and Germany could also be co-opted in the alliance.  Both these countries had sent their naval ships into the South China Sea to enforce ‘Freedom of Navigation’. Taiwan also can be one of the prospective members; notwithstanding the ‘One China Policy’ accepted by the Americans.

Wall Street Journal reported that two dozen members of US Special Forces and a contingent of Marines have been in Taiwan for the last one year secretly training troops in Taiwan; if these reports are true; obviously, the ‘One China Policy’ is rightfully repudiated with the repugnance it deserves. All QUAD Countries should rescind the ‘One China Policy’.  As far as India is concerned, China has never accepted ‘One India Policy’ then we have no reason to accede to ‘One China Policy’.

India right from independence had been blind to the powerplay of instruments of national power in the arena of geo-politics.  Our initial blunders in losing territories to Pakistan and China is well known and does not need any reiteration. Our aspiration to be a leader of the nonalignment ended our bluff and bluster after the Chinese attacked us in 1962.  Our appeal to the UN after the Pakistan invasion of the J&K soon after independence is another example of our naivety.  In the hindsight; the posterity now wonders; is it possible for any country that has become independent after two and half century of slavery to throw away its territories by following such insane policies? 

A litany of our strategic misdeeds is unending and requires a compendium of several volumes to narrate; but our foreign policy makers have taken a vow that they will not learn from past mistakes and continue to repeat them and persist in parting with our territories.  Enough and no more.  We will not rest in peace till the time our patrolling rights in Depsang is restored and we have access to over 900 Sq Kms of our territory denied to us by the Chinese.  All we need is a strong political will that would not be lacking if only the Duo renders correct advice to the PM.