To all those Gentlemen Clamouring for a War...
Gentlemen the effects of a war on a state or country or nation especially effects of defeat are very devastating. No one better than India and Indians should know it who lost the grip on power in spite of being a much superior civilisation. economic and social dsvsmcement.
In our recent memory, the effect of 1962 has been very devastating and the nation lost the most valuable possession it can have - self respect and self confidence.
It has been the consequences of the defeat of 1962 that Indian interactions with the Chinese have been fundamentally based on the following factors :
* Being Mortally Scared - The establishment especially the Security establishment - MoD, MEA and MHA remained and acted being mortally afraid of China. The Ruling establishment was afraid of China as any Chinese action could trigger a regime change in Delhi.
So the essential reaction to it was aloofness and virtual cowardice. Indian Army was not allowed any where withing 30 km of Chinese borders. No infrastructure was developed, and civil administration remained hidden.
* Love China and Hate Yourself. This trend was not restricted to Communists, left and liberals but to other categories who even now blame India for 1962. Anti Imperialism, anti-colonialism, socialism, anti-West and anti-USA mindsets of recently freed Indians always tended to place China as a crusader in Indian Left-liberal thoughts. Later the rapid economic advancements of China were sought to be replicated even by politicians and intellectuals of repute. So this class which constituted a very large part of our bureaucrcy have been Self-haters, India haters and China lovers. One can see that as one of the fundamental trends in MEA policies towards China. It is strange that the Stockholm Syndrome had to be discovered somewhere else when it was present with Indian establishment.
* Just Buy them Out. This trend emerged later on post Rajiv Gandhi visit to China. India not only gave China all diplomatic leverages but inordinate economic concession in trade and commerce. People thought they can appease and buy out China for a good behavior.
* Lack of Rationality and Real Politic. Indian policies towards China was absolutely devoid of rationally based real politic. Mostly the decision came based on whims and fancies, out of fear and appeasement and bureaucratic egoism. In the whole process, the most blows were given to the Indian Armed Forces in their neglect, deliberate denials and lack of strategic directions.
* Nationalism. After NDA govt has come to power some of the old foundations seem to be shed and some modicum of Nationalism has crept in our approach to China. Nationalism and national interests is a rational approach that should be the guiding principles of our approach to China rather the regime continuation agreement of Congress with CPC.
It is true that War is too serious a business to be left to the generals but it is equally dangerous to be left to the likes of Nehru and Menon or Bhola Nath Malik and Desai or Koul.