Virendra
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During a heated debate in parliament before the 1962 Sino-Indian war, Prime Minister Nehru declared that he favored peace over war with China, making it clear that he was willing to negotiate with the Communist nation till the bitter end to resolve border disputes.
Shortly thereafter, India's pacifist founding leader got the shock of his life when his "brotherly" neighbor invaded his country, shattering Nehru's view that by befriending China he could reduce the likelihood of its expansionism.
Despite having that memory still fresh in their minds, Indian leaders even today would reiterate Nehru's pledge. However, the vexing question is: What is the prudent strategy for India in a new world that is certain to see China's rise and U.S. attempts to contain it?
India's decision will greatly depend on how China plays its cards. China's behavior, on the other hand, will be dictated by India's economic and military conditions. A strong India would make China more willing to be flexible; a feeble democracy could tempt it to be bellicose.
To be sure, few expect India and China to plunge into a war, at least in the short-run.
When I asked Henry Kissinger last November if China could attack India in the next 25 years, he dismissed the possibility outright. "Stakes are too high," the former U.S. secretary of state said, adding there is nothing to be gained by either side.
Nehru made an even more dire observation 50 years ago: A military conflict involving two great countries like India and China would mean "indefinite" war because neither would give in and neither could conquer the other.
Still, given the new world reality India today finds itself between a rock and a hard place: China versus United States. To some, the choice is easy, but there are others who face a harsh agony ....
Full article is at - Who is India's real ally? » Indian Defence Review
and contemplates on US and China one by one.
Shortly thereafter, India's pacifist founding leader got the shock of his life when his "brotherly" neighbor invaded his country, shattering Nehru's view that by befriending China he could reduce the likelihood of its expansionism.
Despite having that memory still fresh in their minds, Indian leaders even today would reiterate Nehru's pledge. However, the vexing question is: What is the prudent strategy for India in a new world that is certain to see China's rise and U.S. attempts to contain it?
India's decision will greatly depend on how China plays its cards. China's behavior, on the other hand, will be dictated by India's economic and military conditions. A strong India would make China more willing to be flexible; a feeble democracy could tempt it to be bellicose.
To be sure, few expect India and China to plunge into a war, at least in the short-run.
When I asked Henry Kissinger last November if China could attack India in the next 25 years, he dismissed the possibility outright. "Stakes are too high," the former U.S. secretary of state said, adding there is nothing to be gained by either side.
Nehru made an even more dire observation 50 years ago: A military conflict involving two great countries like India and China would mean "indefinite" war because neither would give in and neither could conquer the other.
Still, given the new world reality India today finds itself between a rock and a hard place: China versus United States. To some, the choice is easy, but there are others who face a harsh agony ....
Full article is at - Who is India's real ally? » Indian Defence Review
and contemplates on US and China one by one.