CAN INDIA DETER CHINA?

STRATEGIC DETERRENCE AGAINST CHINA

Mandeep Singh Bajwa

The Hindustan Times, May 26, 2013

Deft diplomacy working patiently and paying no heed to shrill calls for upping the ante has resolved the tense situation arising out of the Chinese intrusion in Ladakh. To back up the diplomatic initiative, the military subtly flexed its muscles. The army presented the government with a number of options, including a show of strength, if necessary, implemented in a regulated manner to apply pressure.

XIV Corps consisting of an infantry division, a mountain division, certain specialised troops, an artillery brigade and an armoured battle group maintained a high level of operational readiness to meet any possibility. Long-range observation systems and UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) were used to keep a track of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) movements and build-up.

The pattern of Chinese behaviour means that we can expect more posturing on our borders. What are our options in strategic terms to deal with intrusions and nibbling away at our territory? While there has been a significant addition to our defence post-62, they need to be further strengthened in the view of increasing Chinese capabilities. However, the greatest truth in warfare is that a purely defensive strategy never works in the long-term.

We, therefore, need to build an offensive wherewithal with the capacity to strike deep into enemy territory while keeping our own base intact. The raising of mountain strike corps for the northern and eastern theatres with lightweight artillery, heavy light helicopters and bold, new concept of aggressive action can no longer be delayed. We also need to build a limited offensive capability for the central sector as well as in all defensive corps.

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