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China bent upon cutting India down to size: Mishra | Describing China as hegemonistic and very aggressive, former National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra today called on the Indian Government to adopt the right combination of strategic and diplomatic policies to counter Beijing 's dangerous designs. Describing India as the weakest
among China ’s three rivals in Asia – Japan and Australia – Mishra cautioned that
China is just waiting for some years before it would assert itself. Mishra noted
that while Japan and Australia have nuclear umbrellas for their protection, India
would have to defend itself from two fronts – both China and Pakistan . “Though
both fronts are not active simultaneously now, it is probable and possible that
both fronts become active,” he said. Mishra was releasing two books – “The Dragon’s
Fire: Chinese Military Strategy and Its Implications for Asia” (by Rajeswari Rajagopalan)
and “Arming the Indian Arsenal: Challenges and Policy Options” (by Deba Mohanty)
published by Observer Research Foundation, a public policy think tank headquartered
in Delhi . Mishra, who was the NSA during the premiership of Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee,
said unlike other countries, India is handicapped by the absence of national security
culture among politicians who compromised national security because of electoral
politics. “Even 20 years after Bofors scandal, the burden on politicians is still
continuing. They are afraid to take decisions because of fear of allegations of
corruption. Unless this situation changes, we will never be able to become a great
power,” Mishra, who is also a Trustee at ORF, warned. Looking back his long years
of service in government, he described bureaucrats as “unguided missiles”, who
will not act without guidance from the political leadership. Describing China
as “very strong” economically and militarily, Mishra said “ China is bent upon
cutting India down to size.” He said China has become very aggressive against
India – at Line of Control, in the writings in official media, think tanks and
party media. Mishra minced no words in saying that you cannot trust China whose
only all weather friend is Pakistan . They don’t see any other country, including
Russia , as its friend, he said. Mishra also blamed the armed forces for their
cumbersome test trials which take years to decide on weapons. “Substandard clothing
and equipment is affecting our jawans badly. Many jawans die in Siachen because
of substandard clothing,” he said. Mishra said there is no change in the policy
of Pakistan where the Army dictates terms. He said as far as India , Afghanistan
and the authority of Army are concerned, it is still the Army which decides in
Pakistan , he said. Chairing the book release event at ORF, Gen. V.P. Malik, President
of ORF Institute of Security Studies, said the nexus between the defence PSUs,
the Ordnance Board and the Defence Ministry is creating a “protective mindset”
which does not facilitate private sector participation in defence production.
Underlining the need for a transparent procurement policy, Gen. Malik, who had
to face the Kargil War with “whatever we have”, said the absence of a “stated
defence procurement policy” was a big problem in meeting the requirements of the
forces. Gen. Malik said there is an urgent need to include defence economists
in integrated defence planning. He also warned against the territorial ambitions
of China where it appeared to be a gap between the Peoples Liberation Army and
the political leadership. Brig. (Retd) Gurmeet Kanwal, Director of the Centre
for Land Warfare Studies, said though there is a strategic stability along the
India-China borders, there is aggressiveness at the tactical level. Noting that
the gap between the capabilities of India and China are growing in favour of our
big neighbour, he opined that it is better to resolve the border disputes quickly
because China would be capable of dictating terms in 15 years from now. |
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