What is the issue?
- The India - China standoff in Doklam is now resolved with diplomatic efforts.
- However, the turn of events calls for India to pay attention to some larger questions on our military strength and support of other powers.
What should India learn from the Doklam issue?
- Army strength - India has to look into the relative strength of its military power as against that of China's.
- With due acknowledgement to the professional Indian armed forces, the reality is that they do not outweigh the Chinese in a conflict scenario.
- India's military strength was sufficient only to make a defensive response to the whole issue.
- Infrastructure - The high density of infrastructure on the Chinese side has forced India to respond with the Line of Control (LoC) mindset in a disputed territory where India has strong claims.
- Here again, India limited itself to a defensive position, as it feared of losing some territory.
- It thus did not choose to draw the Chinese in and then inflict punitive losses.
- The infrastructure on the Indian side, both strategic railway lines and important roads, has shown no significant progress over the years.
- Military preparedness - India's military preparedness in this context is weaker in relation to its opponent.
- The delay in military modernisation schemes have made army’s ammunition reserves unsustainable even for a 10-day-long war.
- Not properly equipped and stocked Indian armed forces seem to be unprepared and vulnerable, to a possibly two-front collusive threat from China and Pakistan.
- Bhutan - Bhutan has been a strong Indian ally and has stood by New Delhi during the standoff.
- However, views within Bhutan are strongly demanding a “balanced foreign policy” i.e. opening of ties with China.
- Also, there are high chances of resumption of the now cancelled Bhutan-China border talks.
- The talks involve a swap for Doklam with disputed areas in the north, an offer which has always interested Bhutan.
- All these developments are something which India cannot afford to ignore.
- International support - Though being indirect, India got considerable support from the many countries in the Doklam issue.
- The world nations' own relations with Beijing made it very difficult for them to state their support openly.
- At this juncture, it is for India to seriously think on relying on international support against China if India and China were to clash again.
What is the way forward?
- In all its statements following the disengagement in Doklam, the Chinese have emphasised their sovereignty over the area.
- Thus, the Doklam crisis may be over, but another crisis between India and China cannot be ruled out completely.
- This requires India to gain experience from the Doklam standoff and be prepared to handle any such similar situation in future.
- A reassessment on military systems and processes, and diplomatic negotiations are essential at this point.
Source: Indian Express
