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The Chinese navy has begun artillery exercises in the Yellow Sea, days before the US and South Korea hold similar manoeuvres there.
China opposes the joint US-South Korea exercises, the latest of which begins on 5 September.
Those drills are intended as a show of force to North Korea, following the sinking of a South Korean warship.
China also held air exercises over its east coast in August, in what was seen as a response to the joint US-South Korea drills.
Washington and Seoul are engaging in a series of exercises in the wake of the Cheonan incident, some of which are taking place in the Yellow Sea, which lies between the Korean peninsula and China.
The latest drill, which will run until 9 September, "will focus on anti-submarine warfare tactics, including detecting and destroying North Korean submarines", an unidentified military official told South Korea's Yonhap news agency.
Last few weeks have been hectic all round china (not in order).
1) News about US power games around vietnam/SoKo.
2) News about chinese illegal encroachment in POK.
3)Visa issues started by chinese.
4)chinese angering her neighbours by claiming the islands and seas etc.
5) NoKo torpedoing soko ship.
6) chinese anger at uncle about weapons sales.
what is happening to dlagon. pissing off off everyone.
krisna wrote:
Last few weeks have been hectic all round china (not in order).
1) News about US power games around vietnam/SoKo.
2) News about chinese illegal encroachment in POK.
3)Visa issues started by chinese.
4)chinese angering her neighbours by claiming the islands and seas etc.
5) NoKo torpedoing soko ship.
6) chinese anger at uncle about weapons sales.
what is happening to dlagon. pissing off off everyone.
This is to show that PRC is getting encircled. Reaction of PLA and PRC leadership is being tested and studied. It is studied every qtr or every 6 mths with such incidents so that no funny business is being planned.
what is happening to dlagon. pissing off off everyone.
Getting too big for its boots?
X-posted
Suraj wrote: All these are clinical policy implementations in action; sitting about bemoaning the policy itself gains us nothing - it's the epitome of a useless reaction. In the Chinese case it's as straightforward as the border regiments being given orders to repeatedly test our defenses, and expand slowly if given leeway, back off if not, and otherwise build cartographic leverage on their terms.
^Tony you have already 91 posts under your belt.Better start making sense now.This post of yours makes no sense as to what you intend to say.This 'Sherlock Holmes' stuff is getting out of hand.Kindly stop it or I will be forced to report.
Manishw wrote:^Tony you have already 91 posts under your belt. Better start making sense now.This post of yours makes no sense as to what you intend to say.This 'Sherlock Holmes' stuff is getting out of hand.Kindly stop it or I will be forced to report.
C'mon now. Was I not making sense before?
Let me break it down for you.
Question:
what is happening to dlagon. pissing off off everyone.
Answer:
Ajatshatru wrote: Getting too big for its boots?
I retort, using another member's reply in a different thread about a similar question:
Suraj wrote: All these are clinical policy implementations in action
Meaning:
This is nothing new from China. Simply standard policy that's been around for while now. None of the stated bullet points are anything new.
tony, an amateur advice...you are mass producing your posts like china...stop, gulp some air...take your time...let everyone breath a little...and everyone will start understanding your point...
Last edited by manum on 02 Sep 2010 09:50, edited 1 time in total.
Even after China's actions at the UNSC had made a U.S./ROK show of force necessary, the U.S. Navy's preference was to limit the George Washington's involvement to the initial joint exercise off the east coast of South Korea, as part of a significant show of force to underscore to Pyongyang that ROK and U.S. tolerance had its limits and that future acts of aggression would not be tolerated.
U.S. spokesmen have repeatedly asserted that the naval activity was not designed with China in mind; it was, and is, about sending North Korea a message. However, the PLA, by its outrageous warnings and pronouncements, has made it about China as well. The question is, why? Why has Chairman Mao's "let a hundred flowers bloom" campaign been transformed under President Hu Jintao into "let a hundred loose cannons blast"?
One only needs to read the China Daily or Global Times to see daily accusations of American insults and insensitivities to Chinese concerns. Could it be that Chinese fascination, especially among the youth, for President Obama and the American process of choosing its leaders, is seen as particularly threatening to the PLA and to the civilian leadership that is preparing for its own 2012 leadership "elections."
We saw a similar phenomenon 12 years ago when, during the similarly popular administration of President Bill Clinton, the PLA sent briefing teams out to China's campuses in the wake of the accidental NATO bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade, asserting that the accident was a deliberate attack and drumming up anti-U.S. feelings that resulted in our embassy being stoned and consulates attacked. Sounds like deja vu all over again.
Pretty good discussion on the alleged super power race between China and India. Even Rajdeep Sardesai is sympathetic to India. A couple of people make the point that this discussion would not even be permitted in China, in the way it is conducted.
I watched the whole thing. Sadly, I got the impression that Indian political fatsos wouldn't give a damn what happened to your country as long as they get to sit a nice comfy chair enjoying the privileges and life goes on as usual. Of course, they will give a few prep talks like democracy and all the goodies but none is going to do or willing to do the heavy lifting necessary to put your country the way Indians desired. Look at how those Indian politicians dodge the real questions with nonsense like democracy works better and stuff. Indian intellectuals and journalists sure have balls and visions to question and ask uncomfortable issues but political class seemed unconvinced and wouldn't be bothered at all.
With China increasing its military power and influence in the strategically crucial Indian Ocean, a noted American expert has urged the Obama administration to partner India to balance and counter Beijing's increasing influence in the region.
With China increasing its military power and influence in the strategically crucial Indian Ocean, a noted American expert has urged the Obama administration to partner India to balance and counter Beijing's increasing influence in the region.
This India as a counterweight was initially thought about by the French.
what are our best bets? are we really counterweights...I mean, even if not policy wise...then contextually due other things which are out of our hands...are we counterweights naturally?
what I've noticed till now is...china has made no friends or well wishers...not even pukes? Is it possible...that world might be throwing its weight behind us to do few things...it won't do directly otherwise...or it's already happening, with current change of events, and seemingly clearer picture of China as per current date...
In my view, the dlagon is spreading its influence across the middle east and africa very fast on the back of its trade and investments - indeed far better and faster than India.
We can not however depend on the US for any support or balancing. Inviting the US into the Indian Ocean to counter the Chinese is not going to be a good move, as the US will not take on the Chinese head to head anytime soon - not till they have the huge trade imbalance and massive investments of their companies in China, so we need to get stronger, keep our regional allies together and be prepared to go the distance alone very assertively.
I think that if we go assertive with our rights in AC/POK/IOR (if Dlagon claims all of China Sea - by the same logic India should claim all of IOR), China will be forced to reason. Not reacting like right now will only worsen the situation.
manum wrote:what are our best bets? are we really counterweights...I mean, even if not policy wise...then contextually due other things which are out of our hands...are we counterweights naturally?
what I've noticed till now is...china has made no friends or well wishers...not even pukes? Is it possible...that world might be throwing its weight behind us to do few things...it won't do directly otherwise...or it's already happening, with current change of events, and seemingly clearer picture of China as per current date...
or I am totally mistaken?
First the Dragon fire ala G.B to make India shiver in fear then the yankee love expressed by T.O.I.Something smell's fishy or probably my nose.....
China has rejected reports of the presence of over 11,000 of its troops in the Gilgit area of Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK), saying that such "groundless" reports were being put out with "ulterior motives" to hurt Beijing's ties with New Delhi and Islamabad.
if we see last three news url's posted in this thread...what is happening?
Manishw wrote:Chacko Ji, seeing you.Been having a case of blues since this G.B episode.Any Jokes to share today?
manishji,
Nice seeing you too. One Bradmin has warned me that he will haul me over banana flavored coals if I ever crack a BruteGorilla joke. mail me at frontierindia at gmail dot come.
China increased its defense budget in 2010 by 7.5 percent to US$78 billion, while most other countries were cutting military spending, according to the latest report on China's military strength.
The Chinese navy has begun artillery exercises in the Yellow Sea, days before the US and South Korea hold similar manoeuvres there.
Last few weeks have been hectic all round china (not in order).
1) News about US power games around vietnam/SoKo.
2) News about chinese illegal encroachment in POK.
3)Visa issues started by chinese.
4)chinese angering her neighbours by claiming the islands and seas etc.
5) NoKo torpedoing soko ship.
6) chinese anger at uncle about weapons sales.
what is happening to dlagon. pissing off off everyone.
china seems to have provoked many powers all over the world.
Now France is getting threatened by the moves of dlagon in Africa. it is tacitly supported by uncle.
Quoting only the relevant portions only
Geo-strategic interests and France’s “war on terror”
The military escalation in the Sahel under the banner of a “war on terror” is aimed at pursuing France’s strategic and commercial interests. The 2008 French white paper on defence, which outlined France’s global geo-strategy, identified the Sahel as one of four critical regions for French imperialism. The region is a key supplier of oil, minerals, and uranium.
Uranium is one critical interest for French imperialism in the region. France’s nuclear industry—which supplies 78 percent of the country’s electricity generating capacity and makes €3 billion in yearly profits from energy exports alone—relies on Niger for 25 percent of the 12,400 tonnes of uranium oxide concentrate that it consumes yearly.
The world’s third-largest uranium producer, Niger is expected to increase its yearly uranium output from 3,500 to 10,500 metric tonnes. French state-owned nuclear company Areva has exploited these uranium reserves for 40 years. It mines the Arlit and Akouta deposits, which produced over 3,000 metric tonnes in 2008. Areva has invested €1.2 billion in the Imouraren deposit, which is expected to produce almost 5,000 metric tons per year for over 35 years.
French hegemony in the region is threatened by the growing influence of China. Beijing has emerged as a rival buyer of uranium in Niger, from the Azelik and Teguidda deposits. It has also paid $5 billion for the right to prospect for oil in the Agadem oilfield in eastern Niger. Africa Confidential writes, “China’s relatively new involvement vastly strengthens Niger’s power to bargain with France”.
France’s military intervention has the backing of Washington. Last November, US Coordinator for Counterterrorism Daniel Benjamin told the US Senate, “French ties in this region remain pivotal, and France has expressed a sincere desire to cooperate with the United States in this area of the world. The Paris meeting in September was the first senior-level meeting that mapped out a way forward for such cooperation. Our strategic counterterrorism priorities in this region are very similar, focusing as they do on building law enforcement, military capacity, and development”.
On July 30, the Wall Street Journal commented that “Paris’s plan to increase its involvement [in the Sahel], gives reason to hope that France is ready to retake the lead in this increasingly hot front”. It added that “predictably, not of all of France’s former colonies are welcoming the erstwhile colonial master’s return to assertiveness”.
In the face of growing competition for markets and natural resources, France’s raids in the Sahel set precedent for further military escalations. French media recently indicated that the ruling class is considering fighting major wars against Turkey, Egypt, or even China. (See: “Media demands France prepare for world war”)
A French “war on terror” in Africa will be used to legitimate France’s deeply unpopular participation in the US-led “war on terror” in Afghanistan and Pakistan, to which France is deploying the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. A recent poll found that 70 percent of the French population opposes the war in Afghanistan. In an August 26 speech, however, Sarkozy said France would “remain engaged in Afghanistan, with its allies, as long as is necessary”.
what is Sahel
The sahel is the semi-arid transition region between the Sahara desert to the north and wetter regions of equatorial Africa to the south. It extends from the Atlantic in the west to the Indian ocean in the east(3862 kms). it covers an area of 3,053,200 sq kms. It has high variability of rainfall, and the land consists of stabilized ancient sand seas. It is one of the poorest and most environmentally degraded areas on earth. countries of Sahel terrorism in sahel
Aggressive posturing by China on Jammu and Kashmir and its unusual interest in the Indian Ocean has annoyed New Delhi, forcing it to seriously consider ways to counter Beijing. India is considering adopting a “proactive” approach on Tibet and also exposing China’s clandestine nuclear cooperation with Pakistan.
According to sources privy to yesterday’s meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the government is considering a multi-pronged strategy to deal with China’s aggressiveness on issues critical to India's sovereignty, particularly J&K and Arunachal Pradesh. The message is clear to Beijing -- its recent actions on J&K were not in line with the efforts being made by New Delhi to normalise ties notwithstanding the complex border dispute.
Sources said India would stick to its stance of not having any military ties with China following its refusal to give visa to Lt Gen BS Jaswal on the ground that he commands Indian forces in Jammu and Kashmir. Notably, Gen Jaswal was to go to China on a scheduled official visit. India, in retaliation, suspended defence exchanges and denied visas to three Chinese Army officers who were slated to visit India. The Armies of the two nations had conducted brief joint exercises on counter-terrorism in the past.
Meanwhile, a top-level military delegation from India tonight heads for Korea — China’s ‘not so cordial’ neighbour — to look at strategic cooperation for developing niche military equipment. Defence Minister AK Antony will lead the delegation. “India is looking at specific high-end research and development being done in the private sector in Korea… some of the Korean companies are doing well… India is looking at a mechanism by which the two countries can work together,” said a senior official of the Ministry of Defence. Leading private companies, which are global giants, have very good technology in shipbuilding and precision engineering, said sources.
Separately, sources said a section of officials within the South Block feel it is time for India to become proactive on Tibet as well as on China’s clandestine nuclear cooperation with Pakistan.AoA Indian babus slowly growing balls So far, New Delhi has consistently maintained that the Tibetan Autonomous Region is an integral part of China.
A senior official said, “Our position on Tibet should not be misunderstood as a sign of weakness by China… what if we also start questioning the status of Tibet.’’
India, has also decided to campaign vigorously against China’s decision to build two nuclear power plants for Pakistan in violation of the guidelines of the nuclear suppliers’ group (NSG). The sources said New Delhi would in the coming days lobby over the issue with leading NSG members, which have been vehemently opposed to nuclear proliferation.
India is also wary of Beijing’s attempts to entrench its influence in India’s neighbourhood, particularly in Sri Lanka, Myanmar and the Maldives. External Affairs Minister SM Krishna yesterday told Parliament that China’s “more than the normal interest” in Indian Ocean affairs and its “intentions” were being closely monitored.
New Delhi has come to realise that China has been showing more than normal interest in the Indian Ocean. In January this year, India along with 12 of its eastern neighbors had conducted a massive six-day naval exercise off the coast of Andaman Islands. Some of the participating nations do not have “cordial relations” with China.
This is the second time in recent years that China has questioned the accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India, clearly reflecting its tilt towards its “fair weather friend” Pakistan on what is essentially a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan. Early last year, China had started to have interest issuing visas to Indian nationals from Jammu and Kashmir on separate sheets, stapled on the passports.
From what is known so far, this was a division-level exercise but was also ambitious because the PLA had moved a mechanised formation into Tibet for this purpose. This mechanised outfit is essentially part of the Rapid Reaction Force which have been developed by the PLA to cope with future “small-scale, high intensity regional combat and military operations”.
Aggressive posturing by China on Jammu and Kashmir and its unusual interest in the Indian Ocean has annoyed New Delhi, forcing it to seriously consider ways to counter Beijing. India is considering adopting a “proactive” approach on Tibet and also exposing China’s clandestine nuclear cooperation with Pakistan.
Finally, the bamboo poking by the panda seem to be riling up the elephant.
Wonder if the "proactive" steps on Tibet is restricted to questioning status of Tibet in media/interactions with other countries or also includes from "friendly bilaterals" by the SFF into Tibetan areas?
Craig Alpert wrote:
.......
....... Separately, sources said a section of officials within the South Block feel it is time for India to become proactive on Tibet as well as on China’s clandestine nuclear cooperation with Pakistan.AoA Indian babus slowly growing balls So far, New Delhi has consistently maintained that the Tibetan Autonomous Region is an integral part of China.
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Seriously, the whole world is aware that the paki nukes are actually chinese in origin and design. Pakistan simply does not have the industrial and technological capability to acquire, integrate and develop these nukes on its own. This is known by everybody on this planet. The fact that nothing has been done about it, i.e. Chinese assistance to Paki nuke program, speaks volumes about the current state of international affairs.
This is a classical case of depending on outsiders, to solve your problems. India should not be delusional. Nobody, not even US or Russia or any of the other countries who opposed us getting the NSG wavier, is going to help us do anything about this "clandestine nuclear cooperation". It would have much better if the meeting had focused on enhancing our logistics nightmare in Eastern and Western Himalayas. It would have been more fruitful if this meeting would have given some thought regarding up gradation of our Fire-Fighters and other internal security forces to handle a nuclear catastrophe. That would help us.
China wants "carrier killers".Apart from ballistic missiles,China is looking for other capabilities.The Russian approach was perhaps the best.12 Oscar class subs with supersonic long range missiles,as "carrier killers",one sub for each carrier task force.In fact,knocking out the fleet tanker/logistic supply vessel in the task force is almost as catastrophic as knocking out the carrier,as the supply vessels/auxiliaries are critical for the task force's oil and other supplies.
China needs 'carrier-killer' missile: press
(AFP) – 6 hours ago
BEIJING — China needs a "carrier-killer" missile deterrent as a counter-balance to US naval supremacy in the Pacific, the state-controlled press said Monday.
"China undoubtedly needs to build a highly credible anti-carrier capability," the Global Times said in an editorial.
"Not only does China need an anti-ship ballistic missile, but also other carrier-killing measures," added the paper, which is published by the People's Daily, print mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party.
"Since US aircraft carrier battle groups in the Pacific constitute deterrence against China's strategic interests, China has to possess the capacity to counterbalance," it said.
US military analysts have warned China is developing a new version of its Dongfeng 21 missile that could pierce the defences of even the most sturdy US naval vessels and has a range of 20,000 kilometres (12,400 miles) -- far beyond Chinese waters.
only members can access the entire story...however, i am pasting whatever is available to non-members......
DEFENDING TAWANG
Tawang: Given Chinese diplomatic and military assertiveness against India especially after the 2008 Beijing Olympics, FORCE has been pondering over the question which was recently set up for polls by China’s People’s Daily newspaper, known mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party: ‘How likely is China’s launch of a limited war against India?’ The response was more ayes than nays. We asked a number of senior military officers as to what would be China’s military aims in a limited war. Considering that China, under the garb of differing perceptions of the border on both sides, has been nibbling at Indian territory since over a decade, and has created many more disputed pockets, prominent being the Pangong Tso lake in western sector, along the 4,056km Line of Actual Control since 1995, a limited war over tactical gains makes little sense. In 1995, during the eighth round of the Joint Working Group, both sides had agreed to only eight ‘pockets of dispute’. These are Trig Heights and Demchok in the Western sector, Barahoti in the Middle sector, and Namka Chu, Sumdorong Chu, Chantze, Asaphila and Longju in the Eastern sector.
China, after the 1986 Sumdorong Chu crisis, has adopted a tough border negotiating position, withdrawn the ‘Deng package’ meant for border resolution, and has claimed the entire state of Arunachal Pradesh (AP) as being the three districts of lower Tibet, namely, Monyul, Loyul, and Lower Zayul. Considering that no self-respecting nation can barter so much land for peace (90,000sqkm of AP), the seeds of the future conflict between India and China lie in the Eastern sector. Military officers say that claiming the state of AP is mere posturing by China as it would involve a protracted high intensity war, which will remain inconclusive. What about a limited war over Tawang? According to them, that could be a possibility. This set the stage for the FORCE team’s visit to Tawang, where having spent a week, we concluded that the Indian Army is taking the defence of Tawang seriously. While no one said that 2012 is the deadline when the Indian Army would be more than prepared to meet the challenge of a limited war over Tawang, all indicators suggested that the preparedness afoot would close to this timeline.
Within limitations, the army is doing a commendable job for the defence of Tawang. The morale of troops in the sector is high. The high altitude rations are good, full authorised leave is available to all ranks (officers get curtailed leave, while the remainder gets en-cashed), extreme winter clothing has improved (though snow boots are in short supply), and high altitude allowances for officers and all ranks are satisfactory. “The high altitude rations include branded juices, dry fruits, chocolates, and all these are very helpful as appetite for normal food diminishes at such heights,” said an officer. There is special mention of sleeping bags whose quality is good. “A warm sleeping bag and dry ration are things that all ranks keep with them when moving out of their units as given the road and weather conditions, a timely return is always doubtful,” explained a subedar.
REACHING TAWANG
Arunachal Pradesh: Alternatively described as the hidden paradise or the jewel of the Himalayas, Tawang, a tiny town of mere 20,000 inhabitants, is actually closer to the mythical Shangri la than anything else. At least, that’s the effort it demands from those who desire to breach the strings of protective Himalayan peaks which hide it in a delectable bowl of deep green foliage, dense forests, wild flowers and impish mountain brooks at about 10,000ft above sea level.
The old Ladakhi adage, ‘the land is so barren and the passes so high that only the best of friends or fiercest enemies would want to visit us’ applies very well to Tawang, except that the land here is not barren, drenched as it remains almost throughout the year in rain. Hence, it is entirely understandable when a local says ruefully, that ‘while friends struggle to reach us, foes covet us’. And it is some struggle. Reaching Tawang is not a day’s job no matter how urgent your requirement or how deep your pockets. In that sense, this quaint town straddling the ancient and the modern is a leveller. All visitors must be baptised by rain, landslides, raging waterfalls across the roads, washed away slopes and blinding fog.
For an average traveller, the struggle to reach Tawang starts in Delhi itself. Connections to Arunachal are not on the fingertips of travel agents. And Arunachal Bhawan gives theoretical information, which is also available on the state’s website. The fastest way to reach Tawang is to fly to Guwahati and then depending upon the weather, either take a helicopter or drive uphill. While there are plenty of air connections to Guwahati, none is so good that you can reach Tawang in a day. An option given by a state-recognised tour operator was that we spend the night at Bhalukpong that sits astride the border of Assam and Arunachal. According to him, if we leave Bhalukpong at the crack of dawn next morning we can race to reach Tawang by evening. Overnight at Bhalukpong? The tour operator tried to dismiss all misgivings by, “There is a state government guest house, apart from several places that offer food and lodging.” Fooding and lodging, we discovered over the next six days, is an Arunachali term for bare minimum facilities.
GHOST OF 1962
runachal Pradesh: A new kind of war history is being written in Arunachal Pradesh. And fittingly new monuments are being erected to represent it. The changing landscape of India’s frontier state is now dotted with memorials raised in honour of those whose personal courage rose in sharp contrast to the sinking moral fortitude of the highest military leaders to stem the relentless waves of Chinese soldiers in the autumn of 1962. These new temples of valour — mostly a decade old — are recording history not through the monochromatic lenses of victory and defeat, but something much more poignant, deeper, and hence that much more important.
The 1962 war with China played out as much on the extreme high altitude slopes of the lower Himalayas, as it did on the psyche of Indian politico-military leadership. Defeat debilitates. Physically and psychologically. Recovery happens, but often the road to recovery, especially psychological recovery, is long and riddled with self-doubts. Which is why, travelling through Arunachal Pradesh in August 2010 is an uplifting experience because the new historical monuments show that the long road has finally been traversed, so what if it took nearly four decades. The blistering wounds have turned into flowers of self-assurance, self-belief and self-confidence. The ghost of 1962 has not been laid to rest; instead, it has been resurrected at all sites of the battles, big and small, lest we forget what had happened, so that it does not happen again.
Throughout the state, starting the late 1990s, Indian Army started building a series of memorials, some dedicated to a particular battle, for instance, Assam Fort at Bum la where a platoon of 5 Assam Rifles bore the first brunt of the Chinese assault at altitude of 15,300ft above the sea level and some for individual soldiers like Subedar Joginder Singh who was awarded the Paramvir Chakra or Rifleman Jaswant Singh, the recipient of Mahavir Chakra. It is as if, even when the Indian government is reluctant to come out with an official history of the war, the Indian Army finally wants the acknowledgement that, while the nation may have lost in ’62, the Indian soldiers did not. They rose above highest political-military fault-lines, mostly without any direction or motivation from the top, to wage the bloodiest battles of their lives. They may not have lived to tell their stories, but there is now a new generation of officers and men who are making sure that these stories are not lost again.
DEBATES AND DELUSIONS
US is the only one country who can threat China’s national security interests, Japan hasn’t such capability, Russia has this capability but no intention, India worried about China too much.’
— Rear Admiral Yang YI, PLA Navy
India’s China policy has been marked by friendship, sentimentalism, fear, diffidence, appeasement, brinksmanship, wishful thinking and engagement. Off late, despite several positive political overtures there remain undercurrents of growing negativism in relations. The negative elements include slow progress in border talks marked by renewed and publically expressed claims on Twang and the whole of Arunachal Pradesh (euphemistically referred to as Southern Tibet). Continuing military modernisation together with incremental up gradation of its military posture in Tibet in terms of infrastructure, development of additional forward airbases, creation of forward logistics and communications nodes, and significantly deployment of rapid reaction forces both for exercises and at times over longer period particularly during campaigning period (Apr –Oct when snows begin to melt and start to fall again).
Then there are growing tensions over incidences of border incursions both in the Ladakh sector in the West, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh in the East.
Keeping the tensions alive are tactics aimed not so much at military but means of political coercion to keep India restrained. More than this China has been unnecessarily needling India on J&K issue. It has begun attaching separate sheet of paper for J&K citizens and those who give their address in J&K. Biggest affront has been non clearance of visit by army’s northern army Commander on the pretext that he is in charge of J&K a disputed territory.
In order to put the Sino–India debate in perspective it is important to underscore the growing Indian concerns about Chinese military build up in Tibet which provides China with multiple and glaring strategic advantages.
Active Defence
First and foremost is the Chinese doctrine of ‘Active Defence’, underlying its military modernisation and force development. The new doctrine is more assertive and is not bound by any restrictions to confine and limit future conflict to within China’s national boundaries. According to China’s White Paper, active defence is a defensive military strategy. The doctrine demands the creation of a capability to project force across China’s borders through rapid deployment, conventional SRBMs and cruise missiles, information warfare, electronic warfare, precision-guided munitions, night fighting capabilities and other advanced military technologies. The PLA expects to fight the next war under conditions of what it calls ‘informationisation’ Chinese euphemism of net centric and RMA assisted warfare.
Second and importantly is the infrastructural and capability up gradation in Tibet. China can support a force over 20-25 Divisions in Tibet which can be build over a single campaigning season. This is backed by forward location of operational logistics that are being structured to support large forces. Aiding to above posture is the Chinese rapid reaction and punitive strike capability. As per current assessments, PLA has the capacity to air transport approximate a division plus (15,000 troops) in one go and air drop a regiment worth (3,000 troops) in a single airlift. Its heli-lift capacity is nearly two battalions in a single lift. This capability was on display during exercise ‘Stride-2009’, involving transportation of 50,000 troops from four major regional military commands — stationed in the cities of Shenyang, Lanzhou, Jinan and Guangzhou. The sophisticated nature of the far-flung deployments together with projected manoeuvres 12 — 1600 km away from their bases was an exceptional power projection display that involved rapid force mobilisation using high-speed civilian rail and air links.
IN THE CLOUDS
For three days in a row, the Tawang monastery had been hidden behind the wispy clouds. Perched atop the mountain, the monastery watches over the town and on clear days can be seen from as far as Jaswantgarh. But in the Himalayas, even divinity bows to the weather. Finally, there is been a brief respite from the rain and the courtyard of the Tawang monastery, also referred to as Galden Namgye Lhatse (celestial paradise) is buzzing with young lamas, some as young as seven, in maroon robes. Yet, despite the buzz silence hangs in the damp air, and all that one can hear as ambient noise is chirping of birds.
Asia’s second oldest and the largest monastery, after the Potala Palace in Lhasa, is currently home to 550 monks, even though it has a capacity for 700. But as one walks the portals of monastery with Thupten Tsering (shastri), who is in charge of the main prayer hall, not a soul is seen. Most boy lamas are in the school and the monks are in their living quarters for self-study and meditation.
Belonging to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, Tawang monastery was founded by Merag Lama Lodre Gyatso in 1680. The story goes that the local Buddhist monks went to meet the fifth Dalai Lama in Lhasa and requested him to visit them. He told them that while it may not be possible for him to visit them in this lifetime he will certainly visit them in his next birth. When the delegation returned, Merag Gyatso, along with his white horse started wandering in the mountains to meditate and to find a place fit to receive the Dalai Lama. During one of his meditative sessions, his horse wandered away. When Merag Gyatso awoke from his meditative spell he went to look for the horse and found him standing on the mountain top, which is now the seat of the monastery. Not only he called the monastery Tawang, as in, founded by the horse, but a small township that developed around it adopted the same name.
BORDER LINES
My first posting on commissioning in 1970 was in an Engineer Regiment in 17 Mountain Division. The Regiment was located at Milestone 13 on the Gangtok-Nathu la Highway. During the 1971 War with Pakistan, my Field Company that was in support of 63 Mountain Brigade was located at Nathu la and we were like the rest of the Division LOB (Left out of Battle) for the entire duration of the War. Obviously, the Powers that be, had decided that we could not take a chance with China. This reaction was possibly due to our inherent sense of unease with possible Chinese reactions, a legacy of 1962 War.
However, over the years we had become complacent as far as China is concerned and our Pakistan-centric attitude caused us to develop some sort of amnesia as regards the fact that China was, currently is and will continue to be our main adversary in any future war.
China has been developing their road, rail and oil pipeline infrastructure in Ladakh since Nineties. However, though we were aware of these developments, there was a sense of smugness in India due to our Pakistan-obsessed minds. It was only in the early part of this decade (approx around 2000-02) that satellite images and intelligence reports started to pour in indicating Chinese constructing roads well forward of Leh and in the Eastern Theatre. They now had roads, constructed either right up to the India-China border or just a few kilometers short of it. Over the years, Chinese have further improved this profile and brought them right on our door step.
It is only then that it dawned on us that these developments were an exercise to have a capability of taking on a pro-active stance against India whenever the Chinese desired, rather than for ‘Hanisation’ of Ladakh or any other ulterior motives. This caused a review and a realisation among the Indian Security intelligentsia and India evolved a ‘Look East’ policy. What is important to note is that we are at least 20 years behind China in development of roads in the forward areas. Instead of focusing on this important deficiency, our commitments with Operation Parakram in 2002 further delayed the decision making process.
From 2005-06, the necessity of having matching infrastructure was considered essential and the Border Roads Organisation (or more famously known as the BRO) was tasked to construct large number of roads on priority. It however took nearly three years, both due to the fact that the BRO were not too sure what was required or how to mobilise resources as also the procrastination of the government at the decision making level to accord necessary sanction quickly, that execution at the ground level commenced only in 2008-09.
SPY RING
On 7 April 2010 several national daily newspapers carried an article, reporting that a Chinese Cyber Spy Ring had hacked ‘scores’ of Indian military establishment’s computers. The Chinese hackers had succeeded in stealing over 300 documents from the National Security Council Secretariat, Military Intelligence Directorate and other Military Institutions. The source of this information was quoted as a recent report by a Canadian quasi government establishment which is a joint venture of a private firm — SecDev and the Munk School of Global Affairs (University of Toronto), Canada who have carried out a yearlong investigation into the hacking of the Tibetan Government in exile and the personal office of his Holiness — The Dalai Lama. The Tibetans had complained that their systems had been attacked, following which the investigation was undertaken as a case study. The Canadian firm in collaboration with the Munk Centre for International studies, University of Toronto, in a public–private partnership set up the International Warfare Monitor — a research centre which claims to track the cyber space, which is emerging as a strategic domain.
Between June 2008 and March 2009, the Information Warfare Monitor conducted an extensive and exhaustive two-phase investigation focused on allegations of Chinese cyber espionage against the Tibetan community.
Phase 1
The investigators had named the Malware Cyber Espionage Network as GhostNet. The GhostNet system directs infected computers to download a Trojan known as gh0st RAT (Remote Access Tool) that allows attackers to gain complete, real-time control. These instances of gh0st RAT are consistently controlled from commercial Internet access accounts located on the island of Hainan, People’s Republic of China. Investigation reveals that GhostNet is capable of taking full control of infected computers, including searching and downloading specific files, and covertly operating attached devices, including microphones and web cameras. This investigation culminated in Mar 2009. The findings of these investigations are as under:
Apart from the entire cyber environment existing in His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s domain in India, the study revealed that over 1295 systems in 103 countries were found to be infected.
Systems targeted were Political, Diplomatic, Commercial and Military owned systems.
GhostRAT traced to commercial internet accounts located in the Island of Hanain (PRC).
Approx 300 million which is nearly 1/5th of the global users of internet are in China. There has been a 1200 per cent increase in internet usage within the period 2000-2008 in China. Hence the rise in the instances of Chinese Oriented Malware.
Investigations at Dharamshala, led to the discovery of four Control and six Command servers used in controlling the GhostRat Trojan and the GhostNet.
Most of the Control Servers traced to IP addresses located in China.
Off the 986 IP addresses infected, 53 were in India, 113 in USA — average duration of infection was for 145 days, longest infection was for a period of 660 days.
WAR FOR WATER
Water is emerging as a core issue in regional geopolitics be it India, Pakistan or China. This is primarily because water availability statistics posit a dire future — consequently it is emerging as a critical resource. China and India are especially vulnerable, for they have to cater to the growing demands of industrialisation and agricultural needs. The per capita availability of water in China and India stands at respectively, 2100 and 1700 cubic metres. By 2025, it is estimated that water availability will decline below the threshold level of 1700 cubic metres as stipulated by UN standards. Amidst this global shortage of water, is the geographical feature where nearly 270 river basins are shared by more than one country.
As water shortage increases states are bound to invest in water infrastructure. This may be in the form of dams, both run of the river or storage. Dams have become one of the singularly contending issues of development debates. While at the national and regional level, embarking of heavy water infrastructure projects like dams may be beneficial, it is vehemently opposed at the local level. In the case of trans-border basins they lead to deterioration of relations between co-basin countries. In the case of India-China, later is the upper riparian state in the case of trans-border Rivers, therefore it enjoys tremendous leverage. Further, the Chinese unilateral damming of trans-border Rivers has raised concerns in the lower riparian countries. Chinese control over Tibet accrues it high advantages in terms of river sharing.
EMBELLISHED TRUTHS
he Myth of India-China Economic Interdependence
By Zorawar Daulet Singh
The spectacular trade trajectory between India and China has dazzled the observer in recent years. Since 1992, two-way trade has increased 200 times to the USD 60 billion target for the year ending March 2011. For two states that are often portrayed as rivals, this is nothing short of remarkable. But for all the euphoria about a globalised system, nation states still care about the relative effects of their economic interactions. The prudent ones learn the art of keeping their books balanced. India it seems has been doing neither, and especially, vis-à-vis China.
Beneath the veneer of embellished data lies an uncomfortable reality. India over the past five years has been drifting into a trading relationship that cannot be called anything but unequal. China is now India’s biggest source of imports, accounting for 11 per cent of its total imports. China also accounted for 18 per cent of India’s overall trade deficit last year.
arnabh wrote:
US is the only one country who can threat China’s national security interests, Japan hasn’t such capability, Russia has this capability but no intention, India worried about China too much.’
— Rear Admiral Yang YI, PLA Navy
India’s China policy has been marked by friendship, sentimentalism, fear, diffidence, appeasement, brinksmanship, wishful thinking and engagement. Off late, despite several positive political overtures there remain undercurrents of growing negativism in relations.
Without understanding geo politics Indians will always have problems in understanding China and what role does it play in the global power system.
From 2005-06, the necessity of having matching infrastructure was considered essential and the Border Roads Organisation (or more famously known as the BRO) was tasked to construct large number of roads on priority. It however took nearly three years, both due to the fact that the BRO were not too sure what was required or how to mobilise resources as also the procrastination of the government at the decision making level to accord necessary sanction quickly, that execution at the ground level commenced only in 2008-09.
The people responsible (politicians and bureaucrats) should be hung from the lamp posts on the Raj-path road. Even now after the the beloved PM has seen the light, based on his observations quoted below,
we do not read any news or statement from the GOI stating, that construction work has picked up and India is doing things to improve its border infrastructure.
-bracketing China with India- their pretension is that India is beneath them. Chinese body bags will deflate such airs quickly for China and the rest of the world.
-Any overt confrontation with India will activate Tibet as an international area of concern-something China has successfully avoided.
-If Tibet is even remotely successful in rebellion, Eastern Turkestan will go up in flames which will force the Islamic world to remove the veil from their vision. Oil price hikes and son of Osama to follow.
-any challenge to the CCP that is not convincingly crushed will delegitimise it.
India actually holds the upper hand as it only has to not be defeated. China needs to have an overwhelming victory.
Without understanding geo politics Indians will always have problems in understanding China and what role does it play in the global power system.
India understands it very well .............. when they want to they play it too.
It is just that they always opt for the least risk, which means reactive. This turns out to be high cost, which India is willing to pay.
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On hacking, etc. It is laughable. The latest I read was about foreign agencies urging their India moles to use USB devices to down load. The most predictable means have yet to be secured in India?
So the number of nuclear warheads is unknown but Indian secrets leak via USBs. One would think that China's hacking would have more pertinent targets than a mountain division's mess menu. That whole Canadian researches find spy hackers was a joke. Indians themselves have been hacking away for years.
Indians can be easily bought but they are not fools.
Indira Gandhi, in 1971, had spies for the US rounded up and summarily executed-yep without benefit of judicial process, in democratic India.
-Any overt confrontation with India will activate Tibet as an international area of concern-something China has successfully avoided.
If India wants to or has the courage to use Tibet as an issue it is a day late and dollar short. India missed the boat 50 years ago. If India raises Tibet as an issue no one will care or listen.
-If Tibet is even remotely successful in rebellion, Eastern Turkestan will go up in flames which will force the Islamic world to remove the veil from their vision. Oil price hikes and son of Osama to follow.
This scenario is possible if India has the willpower to exploit the situation and start funding the Uighur Muslims of Xinjiang. (what are the chances of this happening!!!)
India actually holds the upper hand as it only has to not be defeated. China needs to have an overwhelming victory.
In a full scale war China will be able to absorb the cost and will be willing to pay in blood. I do not think India can take any defeat at this stage in its economic development/transformation.
n a full scale war China will be able to absorb the cost and will be willing to pay in blood. I do not think India can take any defeat at this stage in its economic development/transformation.
Only the US as a superpower, ironically, has the luxury to be able to lose wars. China certainly is not there yet.
seeing you.Been having a case of blues since this G.B episode.Any Jokes to share today?
So far, New Delhi has consistently maintained that the Tibetan Autonomous Region is an integral part of China.
