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Dragon on Our Doorstep: Managing China Through Military Power
India might not admit it, but should it find itself involved in a border war with China it will lose. Apart from superior military power, close coordination between the political leadership and the military and the ability to take quick decisions, China has potent anti-satellite and cyber warfare capabilities. Even more shockingly, regardless of popular opinion, India today is not even in a position to win a war against Pakistan. This has nothing to do with Pakistan’s nuclear weapons. It is because while India has been focused on building military force (troops and materiel needed to wage war) Pakistan has built military power (learning how to optimally utilize its military force). In this lies the difference between losing and winning. Far from being the strong Asian power of its perception, India could find itself extremely vulnerable to the hostility of its powerful neighbors. In Dragon On Our Doorstep, Pravin Sawhney and Ghazala Wahab analyse the geopolitics of the region and the military strategies of the three Asian countries to tell us exactly why India is in this precarious position and how it can transform itself through deft strategy into a leading power.
The most populous countries and fastest growing economies in the world—India and China—have cultural and economic relations that date back to the second century bc. But over the years, despite the many treaties and agreements between the two nations, border clashes (including the disastrous 1962 war) and disagreements over Tibet and Jammu and Kashmir have complicated the relationship. For decades China kept a low profile. However, since 2008, when it was recognized as an economic power, China has become assertive. Today, this Himalayan balancing act of power is clearly tilted towards China, in whose view there is room for only one power in Asia. In this rise, Pakistan has emerged as China’s most trusted and crucial partner. The partnership between China and Pakistan, whether in terms of military interoperability (ability to operate as one in combat), or geostrategic design (which is unfolding through the wide-sweeping One Belt One Road project), has serious implications for India. The best that India can do is try and manage the relationship so that the dragon’s rise is not at the cost of India.
The most populous countries and fastest growing economies in the world—India and China—have cultural and economic relations that date back to the second century bc. But over the years, despite the many treaties and agreements between the two nations, border clashes (including the disastrous 1962 war) and disagreements over Tibet and Jammu and Kashmir have complicated the relationship. For decades China kept a low profile. However, since 2008, when it was recognized as an economic power, China has become assertive. Today, this Himalayan balancing act of power is clearly tilted towards China, in whose view there is room for only one power in Asia. In this rise, Pakistan has emerged as China’s most trusted and crucial partner. The partnership between China and Pakistan, whether in terms of military interoperability (ability to operate as one in combat), or geostrategic design (which is unfolding through the wide-sweeping One Belt One Road project), has serious implications for India. The best that India can do is try and manage the relationship so that the dragon’s rise is not at the cost of India.
488 pages, Hardcover
First published January 3, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 7, 2020
This book is a must read for anyone who is interested in the geopolitical challenges that India faces in the military domain, and is looking for a short summary of the same. Concise and to the point, the book is I suspect, written for a target audience who are just getting into this topic.
The authors are not consistent though throughout the book, and some chapters are more coherent than others. The one on the Indo-US nuclear deal is the best written treatment of the topic that I have read till date.
The highlighting of the administrative inefficiency that hampers the border security of India, and the shortsighted leaders of the Indian political class have become tropes (and rightly deserved), and this book is no exception to this. It does make for tedious reading.
The solutions that the authors propose have some glaring inconsistencies (in my humble opinion). As pointed out by authors, it is the policy of both China and Pakistan to keep India in check with border issues. The solution that India should sort out the border issue with China does not take into account the Chinese view, as to why China should do so with a non-aggressive India (as the situation stands now) as it has the upper hand in this area and any solution to the border issue leaves India free to focus on other areas. Similarly, solving the Kashmir issue is problematic as to what guarantee does India have that Pakistan will not resort to its machinations in the region after a solution is agreed upon. Secondly, as the authors themselves rue, to whom does the Indian government talk to, the elected government in Islamabad or the all powerful Army HQ in Rawalpindi?
After eschewing being politically correct in all other topics, I was very disappointed by the authors being politically correct about the terrorism issue in Kashmir, where they prefer to abstain from calling it terrorism fueled by religion, as any watcher can tell that the issue has its roots in the erstwhile state of J&K being the only Muslim majority state in the Indian union and the inept handling of the accession by the early leadership of independent India.
The authors are not consistent though throughout the book, and some chapters are more coherent than others. The one on the Indo-US nuclear deal is the best written treatment of the topic that I have read till date.
The highlighting of the administrative inefficiency that hampers the border security of India, and the shortsighted leaders of the Indian political class have become tropes (and rightly deserved), and this book is no exception to this. It does make for tedious reading.
The solutions that the authors propose have some glaring inconsistencies (in my humble opinion). As pointed out by authors, it is the policy of both China and Pakistan to keep India in check with border issues. The solution that India should sort out the border issue with China does not take into account the Chinese view, as to why China should do so with a non-aggressive India (as the situation stands now) as it has the upper hand in this area and any solution to the border issue leaves India free to focus on other areas. Similarly, solving the Kashmir issue is problematic as to what guarantee does India have that Pakistan will not resort to its machinations in the region after a solution is agreed upon. Secondly, as the authors themselves rue, to whom does the Indian government talk to, the elected government in Islamabad or the all powerful Army HQ in Rawalpindi?
After eschewing being politically correct in all other topics, I was very disappointed by the authors being politically correct about the terrorism issue in Kashmir, where they prefer to abstain from calling it terrorism fueled by religion, as any watcher can tell that the issue has its roots in the erstwhile state of J&K being the only Muslim majority state in the Indian union and the inept handling of the accession by the early leadership of independent India.
October 29, 2018
A must read book for those interested in India's foreign policy esp wrt its rivals Pak & China. The author has carefully researched the subject matter and presented a genuine case for much needed reforms should India aspire to take a leap from being a balancing power to a geo-strategic player. The book succeeds in busting the myth of India's perceived military power and attempts to deconstruct the flawed foreign policy which has always been high on rhetoric but low on substance. With considerable accuracy, the authors explain how Indian Government's paranoia about military top brass augmented by the reluctance of bureaucrats to give up a portion of their traditional turf has ensured that our foreign policy with the military adversaries is guided by those having least knowledge about military power. Contrary to govt claims of India being China's credible rival in the race for Asia, the authors lay threadbare the reasons and evidence as to why the gap between the two countries is unlikely to narrow in foreseeable future. On the Pak front as well, the authors demonstrate why the balance of power is tilted in Pak's favor. Plucking threads from the recent history of the bilateral relations as also various wars/ conflicts, the book underlines the importance of pursuing military power as in the case of Pak vis a vis military force as in our case. Overall, its a worthwhile effort by the authors and reader can obtain a genuine though not rosy picture about India's flawed foreign policy and suggested measures to overcome the same.
January 12, 2021
A critical analysis about the weaknesses of India as a military power.
April 13, 2017
Comprehensive and enlightening. A bit paranoid but i guess that comes with the territory.
September 4, 2021
China becomes a better capitalist than US.
October 20, 2020
This is a book worth reading in these troubling times. When the Authors wrote this several years ago they would have little thought that the Dragon would be breathing fire over the Himalayas as they feared. The Authors have gone into the details of the threats to India and analysed them thoroughly. Their analyses of how the LAC has developed over the years is accurate, thought provoking and particularly relevant now. Looking back, it's easy to see how China has played upon India's fears and turned the dialogue on the LAC to its advantage since 1992. Indian politicians, always hedging their bets, thought that by treading softly and appeasing China they would succeed in keeping it moored on its side of a line which neither country had formally demarcated. They denied the armed forces the necessary wherewithal to withstand an enemy which in all parameters had improved its superiority by over five times. Despite warnings they turned a Nelson's eye to deficiencies. When the denouement came they stood exposed, desperately deploying troops in a Maginot Defence all across the LAC and denuding reserves which may prove essential if multiple threats develop. Over the years China has been nibbling away territory, which the armed forces will find it difficult to recover unless by treaty. Meanwhile, as a part of its OBOR (One Belt One Road) initiative China has tied Pakistan to an alliance which now forces India to look to two fronts with inadequate reserves. In conclusion the Authors offer half baked solutions. Actually the weakness in the book is a mindset of the Authors, which has convinced them that India is on the ropes and they situate their conclusions accordingly. They are weakest in discussing organisation and tactics. I have taken a long time in going through this book as the Authors have filled it with information and statistics and I refuse to believe that the Indian Armed Forces are not lethal enough. Both China and Pakistan know it too. However, years of neglect and unseemly interference requires a professional and emergency infusion of resources. This will have severe repercussions on development but there is no choice. The book is timely.
April 6, 2021
All in all, I think that this is a well-researched book. The book does go a long way in clearly detailing out India's shortcomings from a military, political and strategic perspective.
If you have been following the relative fortunes of India, China and Pakistan, much of this information will not come as a surprise. However, I am surprised that Pakistan seems to have become very strong.
The book has been divided into neat sections, with each section devoted to a unique topic. This is good.
There is, however, one critique that I have - the author/s have nothing positive to say about India. This is a glaring weakness. It gives me the impression that all the research that they did has one aim, to find deficiencies in India's approach.
I would have preferred a more balanced and nuanced approach.
If you have been following the relative fortunes of India, China and Pakistan, much of this information will not come as a surprise. However, I am surprised that Pakistan seems to have become very strong.
The book has been divided into neat sections, with each section devoted to a unique topic. This is good.
There is, however, one critique that I have - the author/s have nothing positive to say about India. This is a glaring weakness. It gives me the impression that all the research that they did has one aim, to find deficiencies in India's approach.
I would have preferred a more balanced and nuanced approach.
August 25, 2019
good book but after initial chapters the authors indulge in speculative nitpicking. not everything that Chinese do is genius. ex. cutting down troops , like what usa did , ignores the fact that USA extensively hired outside contractors to hold the ground. network centricity distributes c&c over a larger area.
March 20, 2020
Holistic examination of Indo Pak China cross roads. Very informative reading. However, if author could suggest solutions to Kashmir problem, it would have added to the flavour
Holistic examination of Indo Pak China cross roads. Very informative reading. However, if author could suggest solutions to Kashmir problem, it would have added to the flavour
Holistic examination of Indo Pak China cross roads. Very informative reading. However, if author could suggest solutions to Kashmir problem, it would have added to the flavour
July 24, 2020
Repetitive and not alll the assumption and perceptions were correct. Infact had I read this book 2 years back then I would have had a complete different opinion about it. But India has moved forward in a better direction over the past few years.
Still, it's a must read for all who really want to understand the details of India's issue at the conceptual level.
Still, it's a must read for all who really want to understand the details of India's issue at the conceptual level.
December 21, 2018
A must read by anyone interested in the security of the nation. The book is an eye opener, as in it lucidly punctures a lot of façades. This should be made mandatory for the bereaucrats and diplomats..
June 15, 2020
In the coming decades, China and India are expected to drive Asian geopolitics and geoeconomics. The authors have outlined an unique approach for India to manage relations with China peacefully.
August 8, 2020
A well researched book. Although the primary focus is China, it summaries most security challenges of India.
August 21, 2021
Because what India's thinning in worst time.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews