China did India a favor in 1962 by waking up the Indian government, especially the deceptive Prime Minister of the time, though it really killed him very quickly after. The conflict brought the Prime Minister to his senses about the reality of defense, military, and the realpolitik. The conflict made India to consequently invest heavily in defence. This came after 15 years of denial of growth to the Indian military. The massive re-militarization drive and expansion of the armed forces, especially to mention the massive expansion of the Border Roads Organization of that time, was a godsend for India when Pakistan attacked in 1965. Had China not attacked India, Kashmir and more might have been in Pakistan’s hands in 1965. The continued attention to military matters at the time, largely as a result of the 1965 war, helped in the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971. The boundaries of India could well have been different today, i.e., worse, had it not been for the wake-up call of 1962. Let’s thank the Lord God for what we must thank Him for.
Had China not attacked India, Kashmir and more might have been in Pakistan’s hands in 1965. The continued attention to military matters at the time, largely as a result of the 1965 war, helped in the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971.
The Pakistan invasion continued to keep India awake. But, the victory of 1971 and the emergency that followed, lulled India to sleep and put military innovation on the back burner, exemplified by the submarine-manufacturing program being shelved in the 1970s.
Kargil
Through all of the 1970s and 1980s India was being considered by the West as a Soviet-camper, the blatant Kargil operation by Pakistan brought world attention to the aggression by Pakistan, and built world sympathy in India’s favor. The world got more impressed by India after India showed immense political restraint, though many at the time argued for a stronger response, such as crossing the LOC, even though the Indian Chief of Army Staff at the time resignedly stated that - “we will fight with what we have” – a sharp dig at the Indian government, politicians, and IAS babus that had denied India military modernization for two decades. Now, India began to modernize with greater earnestness, though that was probably still not enough.
In any respect, India gained great goodwill around the world as a responsible nation, a development that led to George W. Bush opening up to India in only after a year, as soon as he was elected. This cozying up by USA to India has had its own dividends for India that benefited by receiving modern armaments, new defense technologies – and most importantly – moral support and an alliance as a “natural partner” with USA. Kargil was a great favor to India, mainly because India came out on top after adversity.
India must actually thank China that China’s roads will make it easier for India to go deep into Tibet, which is not Chinese territory.
Attack on Parliament
The attack on Parliament in 2003 further did another great favor to India, as it strengthened India’s resolve to combat terrorism, improve military logistics and troop movements, and developed the cold start doctrine. But then, stupid Indian governments continued to drag their feet on aircraft replacement/replenishment, submarine manufacture, indigenous defense manufacture, or in improving the capabilities of the infantry soldier.
However, major strides came in other areas – aircraft carrier development, raising of a new mountain strike corps (still going slow), and procurement of assets from Israel and USA. In the last three years, major initiatives at military modernization are seen visible.
Doklam
The Doklam incident has made China look like a fool and a bully around the world. Next, India’s strong resolute stand has earned it great respect around the world, and for the first time in a long time, the world has come to recognize that India is no pushover anymore. A new India has emerged. This has further nuzzled China, which is already losing face on the incident – something that the Chinese feel very sensitive about. That Chinese pride has been blunted is good for India and all of China’s neighbors that feel threatened by China.
While Philippines and the world could not stand up to China’s aggression in the South China Sea, and China’s Air Defense Zone is still active around the Senkaku islands, China has drawn no gains from the present episode in Doklam.
China would do India an even greater favor if it were to militarize the Doklam incident, much as it threatens to do within two weeks. First, a bold India could do more than give China a bloody nose – it could maul China.
A war with China will give the Indian Navy a golden the opportunity to interdict all supplies going to China via the Malacca Straits and knock around the PLA Navy in the Indian Ocean – something the Indian Navy has been itching for a long time.
The roads that China has made on its side are also good for India, because an attacking Indian army can use those very roads to reach Lhasa and other strategic bases. India must actually thank China that China’s roads will make it easier for India to go deep into Tibet, which is not Chinese territory.
War with China
A war with China will give the Indian Navy a golden the opportunity to interdict all supplies going to China via the Malacca Straits and knock around the PLA Navy in the Indian Ocean – something the Indian Navy has been itching for a long time. India will also have a great opportunity to attack Chinese assets in Hambantota, Bangladesh, Maldives, and Myanmar – and wherever else in the Indian Ocean. In addition, the Chinese soldiers in Baltistan are sitting ducks for Indian aerial attacks.
A war with China where India comes out better, will be a great boost to India’s morale, avenge the 1962 setback, and make the world pay heed to India as a great power. As such, confidence of the world will restore in India, resulting in an even further increase in FDI coming to India, and boost Indian manufacturing and exports. The confidence of Indians will also be restored, which will have the effect to increase industrial labor productivity in India.
Already, China has done India a favor by making itself look diplomatically insolent. If it is not content with that, it can do India another favor by getting a bloody nose from India, as well. And, if China is still not content with that, India’s contingency plans could include capturing valuable real estate in Tibet and declaring a Free Tibetan government in Lhasa. China will lose great international respect at that time. That will be a windfall for India.
A war with China will vindicate India and remove India’s shackles. A successful war will enable India to advance and progress at galloping speed in its economy, industry, and innovation.
Should some think that China will get into a cyber war and a war of missiles aiming to damage Indian infrastructure and industry, let them not forget that two can play the game. The falsity of Chinese military superiority in Tibet may be exposed. Its airfields are far and at high altitudes, restricting the range of their fighter aircraft. Its soldiers will be at the mercy of the Indian air force, and this time around India will use its air force. Chinese tanks and artillery are not of the high quality that would bring fear to India.
China’s diesel submarines are mostly old, many getting obsolete, and easily picked off by Indian submarine-hunters, if China ever decides to be brave enough to front them. But, India’s aircraft carrier can cause havoc for Chinese shipping and the PLA Navy in the Indian Ocean. China’s economy will take a huge hit because of the interdiction of shipping and will feel the effect after only five days of war. So, let’s hope that Xi Jinping is irrational enough like his younger half-brother Kim Jong-un. A Chinese war with India will be a favor to India.
Closure
And, let’s remember that Chinese pride and arrogance will bring about its downfall. A war with China will vindicate India and remove India’s shackles. A successful war will enable India to advance and progress at galloping speed in its economy, industry, and innovation. The moment in history, and the opportunity of a century is in the waiting for India should China be foolish enough for an misadventure with India.
Of course, I feel for the brave Indian soldiers and officers, and have great pride and respect for them. And, I feel anger at the politicians and former Indian diplomacy that take away India’s pride and honor. Yet, let’s not be scared to face the mythical dragon, and let’s thank the dragon for having a conflict with India, and thus doing a rare favor to India.