Mukesh.Kumar wrote:We need to quantify and specify how China's rise is inclemental for us. Not doing this robs us of two benefits. Firstly, a well visualized negative scenario will light a fire under people's asses. Nothing galvanizes us better than a crisis. It's then that we can easily kick aside idiots like CrookLaw, SSM, MMS and get to Barton building. And secondly, there are no permanent enemies or friends among nations. One day in the future it maybe in the interest of a strong India and strong China too accommodate each other. The only way this works out for us is if we have a clear picture of what is our interest. That's why I am pushing for an understanding and quantification of what is the cost of letting China rise unchallenged.
And the answer to the critical question of what is our objective. I am sorry, but we are all guilty of being very wishy washy in defining this. What exactly do we want? What are the pressure points for us? What are our milestones.
Whether it's BRF or other forums, I cannot see a coherent vision for the future of India. And I am as guilty as anyone else in being one of the blindmen describing an elephant from touch.
Mukesh.Kumar, all your questions are inter-related and so would be the answer.
The foremost priority of any government is
providing security to its people and its borders. This is especially so in our case because we have a long ill-defined border on our east with China which is actively gobbling up our territory. We have an implacable enemy on the west who too covets our land and wishes to destroy us. And, the two have been colluding for the last six decades.
The second is to uplift millions of of our people from poverty and bring all factors of Human Development Index (HDI) to a decent level from the abysmal lows they are in today.
These two broad narratives ought to be the two primary interests / objectives of any Indian government. The rest follows. The way we can quantify this is how much our economy has to improve in order to achieve a certain per capita income that would alleviate poverty along with how much we have to spend on security to issues to deter the twin fronts, or destroy one and checkmate the other or various combinations thereof etc.
Again, how China's 'rise' is dangerous to us (not merely inclemental, I feel) cannot be quantified. The point that should be internalized is China is as much interested in destroying us (I am using the word 'destroy' in a broad term encompassing economy, military, diplomacy etc.) as is Pakistan but for different reasons. China wants to be the sole power in Asia
now and brooks no competition. I feel that its show-of-strength during this covid time both in all its disputed maritime borders and the land border with us is to
de-facto establish that position. It feels India is a strategic competitor whose rise must be stopped violently. That's why it is involved more aggressively with us in Ladakh. By c. 2049, it certainly wants to be the undisputed sole power in the world. While our aim is not to assume the mantle of the 'sole superpower', China's 'violent rise' comes completely in the way of our 'peaceful rise'. The History of China and the Chinese mindset clearly show that their idea of a 'Harmonious World' is at a diametrical variance with ours as their sense of Harmony not only puts them at a hierarchically higher pedestal than that of others but also imposes their and only their world views on others.
Those who feel that vassalage and tributary are not the goals of China, yes, they may no longer demand foreign ambassadors or delegates to prostrate seven times in front of the Emperor as the Manchus and before them, the Mings, used to demand but the parameters of that attitude have been suitably tailored to modern times, nevertheless.
Added Later: No more here on these issues as it fits better in the Strat forum
