It is not just the hankering for energy
sources and untrammelled passage of bulk carriers to home ports that is
tormenting the Indo-Pacific oceanic region these days. Even more
fretting is the blatant attempt by China to create a ‘string of pearls’
across the oceans and ‘silk routes’ along the landmass that has people
bewildered about Chinese machinations and intentions. Every which way
one looks at, India stands four-square in the path of this Chinese
expansionism and is hence, Beijing’s target number one.
During the last century, American
Admiral Alfred Mahan had recognised the importance of the Indian Ocean
as an organic connection between the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans.
The Indian peninsular landmass projecting out into the Indian Ocean is
both a boon and an invitation to colonisation and satrapy. India
suffered colonisation for three millennia before dethroning British Raj
through an exemplary peaceful transition, underscoring the adage that
while those who intruded over the land frontiers became assimilated into
the Indian ethos, those who came from the sea, stayed on to subjugate
and rule.
The likelihood of oil and gas reserves in the Pacific seabed with the Indian Ocean connectivity has stoked a predilection for controlling the seas and domination for fuel by gluttons like China. With the fruition of its long-range plans for nuclear weapons, armed submarines and soon to arrive aircraft carrier, China is flexing its muscles against neighbours like Japan, Vietnam and Philippines and trying to dissuade India from helping these countries exploit resources lying within their respective oceanic claim lines.
Despite being a peace-loving state, India has always had to guard against dubious activities in the Indian Ocean and connecting waters. The threat from China and its support to Pakistan Navy has compelled us to ruminate over the whole scenario. Beijing is acutely aware of the potential for trouble that India presents to the economic well-being of the Han state. China and Pakistan should be cognizant that ganging up against India will be counter-productive to Chinese hegemonic aspirations. We foresee that the dynamic change of guard in the federal government and an exhilarating amelioration of the defence and security apparatus will discourage China and Pakistan in executing their game plan.
Many stalwarts have analysed developments in the Pacific-Indian Ocean littoral in this issue of DSA, commenting on the emerging scenarios and predicating the increasing geostrategic and geopolitical importance of Indo-Pacific theatre in the global security environment.
On the western horizon, a withdrawal of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan could create a new dynamics that could affect India’s security. Unlike India, Pakistan is using its geographical position to hinder Indian access to Kabul and beyond, who are equally chary of the Pakistani epicentre of terrorism and even Islamabad’s very own “all weather friends” in Beijing have started recognising the threat from Pakistan. Pakistan has already started using the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) as a trump card to force concessions from Washington.
Equally daunting are threats emerging from the seas like 26/11 in Mumbai, which triggered an upheaval in my mind and instigated me to initiate a series of confabulations with my dear friend and our Editor-in-chief, Mr Manvendra Singh to conceptualise and bring out a world-class magazine committed to national defence and security. Over five years of existence has cemented DSA as a strong reference point for disquisitions on Indian capabilities and concerns with an objective to play our role in creating awareness about defence and security and disseminating credible and insightful analyses on developing scenarios around the world.
Jai Hind!
