- China currently occupies Indian sovereign territory for 45 years, after starting a short undeclared war.
- China arms failed state Pakistan with nuclear weapons and technology.
- China backs Naxals and other leftist groups.
- China builds strategic ports in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, Burma and other neighbouring countries which will be used to dock Chinese warships------a clear policy of encirclement.
- The Chinese openly claim Arunchal Pradesh. The Chinese make illegal incursions into Sikkim, India's vassal state.
- China opposes India's membership of the permanent Security Council seat.
- China opposes the USA-India Nuclear deal.
- China captures and humiliates Indian border guards, during a state visit by the Indian political leadership to China. I am not sure what other provocation you require from the Chinese? In the light of China's behaviour in the neighbourhood it is grossly incorrect to give a base to Singapore on Indian soil.
Based on the above points it is extremely strongly advised that India does not conduct joint military exercises with China, otherwise you are inviting future provocation from the Chinese. You are telling them that such provocation are not serious and that India in relation to China will always look away and take no notice if Beijing decides to do the dirty.
Well meaning handshakes are one thing with nice diplomatic pleasantries, but they have very little long term utility if they are not backed by real force.
Moving on to another point, India regrettably is yet again getting set to buy billions of $ worth of foreign military hardware, 60 years after independence, because the domestic arms sector hasn't got it's act together. No other country purchases so much hardware from foreign sources except Saudi Arabia and Pakistan-------------hmmmmn! Interesting club.
In relation to the proposed $10 billion combat aircraft purchase, my advice is to go for leased equipment for a couple of years 150-200 MiG-29's and SU-27 Flankers, and then when the Indo-Russian stealth project goes into production in the near future, stop leasing and seriously produce that one and press it into service asap. In all events we have got to get out of the bad habit of procuring military equipment from foreign sources.
The proposed $10 billion combat aircraft purchase will in reality cost a lot more than that. Planes service life lasts for 25 years, and in addition to the initial cost you have also got to think of the cost of the spares over 25 years. So the total actual cost of the planes could be 30-40 billion $ eventually. Is this cost effective? No! Not for a poor country like India. The planes on offer for purchase will become obsolete within a few years anyway.
So wait for the Indo-Russian stealth, and lease to fill the gap.
On the final point, Why are marginal minority characters being made Indian defence ministers? Fernandes, he who was humiliated, and Anthony. Does the elite establishment think defence is peripheral to India's needs, and thus the post can be used to 'token fill'. My humble advice is to take that portfolio a little bit more seriously because of 60 years of experience with Pakistan, and in addition because of an ascendant China. Get a caste Hindu to fill the post, with a NS background.
Maybe the politicians are fearful of a coup! Given the professionalism of the armed forces I hardly think, after 60 years there is anything to fear from that quarter.
