India preparing for a possible two-front war with Pakistan, China

15 May 2013 05:18 am

India continues to view Pakistan as the ‘real threat’ even though it is adjusting its Military strategy to include the possibility of a limited two-front war with both Pakistan and China, the first Blue Book on India published by a Chinese think tank said.

Pakistan is India’s main ‘real threat’ to maintain a high degree of vigilance and preparedness, the summary of the Blue Book released by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, (CASS) said.

The report says Indian military deployment on land is mainly fixated against Pakistan but in recent times, it is also being adjusted for both China and Pakistan.

The book in Chinese language, the first ever on India, said, New Delhi is focusing to deal with limited war with China and Pakistan at the same time.

It spoke of large increase in troops at the borders and upgradation of border forces with new weapons and equipment.

The report spoke about India’s maritime military deployment in recent years, the prime cause of China’s worry as it regards India’s fast expanding blue water navy as a major threat.

The book, which speaks of India’s efforts in the past to strengthen its maritime military strength in the East, specially mentioned Indian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command and its bases in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

It also spoke of increase in Indian defence budget with the rapid growth of the Indian economy making it the biggest buyer of the international arms.

About India’s policy towards neighbours, it said New Delhi continued to pursue the “Gujral Doctrine” on neighbouring countries to provide unilateral assistance, enhancing mutual trust and cooperation with the neighbouring
countries of South Asia, while continuing to push forward the peace process with Pakistan.

India also established a strategic partnership with Afghanistan while developing relations with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, it said.

The book also mentioned India’s bid for the permanent membership of the UN Security Council in association with Germany, Japan and Brazil besides India’s Look East Policy improving relations with Japan, Vietnam, Australia in the backdrop of US’ Asia Pacific push.

While cautioning the Chinese establishment against underestimating India’s ‘great potential’ for development in future, it has highlighted the recent corruption scandals which has damaged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s Government.

However, the book praised India’s progress saying that it has achieved remarkable progress.

Since the implementation of a comprehensive economic reform in 1991, India’s economic development has made remarkable achievements with accelerated economic growth improving the comprehensive economic strength resulting in ‘India’s rise’.

Noting the campaigns like ‘Incredible India’, ‘world office’, it said India remained one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

But at the same time, India faced many contradictions in its aura of high-growth which include the problem of poverty, uneven development, irrational industrial structure, the high fiscal deficit, it said. (PTI)