Dealing with the China Question

India’s recent defence agreements with Australia and Japan highlight efforts to modernize its defence industry and counter China’s assertive military stance amid shifting Asian geopolitics.

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Agreements on Key Developments in Defence Cooperation to Counter China

• India-Australia Defence Agreement:
  • Air-to-Air Refuelling:
    • Facilitates interoperability and extended reach of both countries’ air forces.
    • Enhances joint operational capabilities and strategic reach in the Indo-Pacific.
• India-Japan Defence Collaboration:
  • Stealth Equipment Production: Recent MoU focuses on the joint production of stealth technology for Indian warships.
  • Broader Industrial Cooperation: Strengthens India’s defence manufacturing capabilities and fosters mutual trust in regional security.

Key Drivers of Enhanced Cooperation

1. Chinese Assertiveness:

• Territorial Disputes and Diplomacy: China has been assertive in territorial disputes with its neighbors, including India, often using aggressive “wolf-warrior” diplomacy and muscular unilateralism with others. 
  • Recently, it has shifted to  charm diplomacy, but skeptics warn this could change quickly.

• • Military Dominance:
    • Beijing’s massive defence production capabilities overshadow the collective military expenditures of its neighbours, including India and Japan. 
    • For example, between 1995 and 2020, China commissioned 70 submarines, showcasing its formidable industrial infrastructure.

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2. Regional Reactions to China:

• Greater Security Cooperation: Asian nations recognize the need for the US to balance China’s growing dominance.
• Rejection of “Asia for Asians” Rhetoric: Previously, the idea of “Asia for Asians” opposed the military presence of external powers. 
• Today, few support this view, as many see it as China’s attempt to dominate the region and fear its growing power imbalance. 
• Most countries now favor a balanced power structure in Asia. 

Way Forward for India

• Strengthening Defence Partnerships: Continue building strong defence ties with countries like Australia, Japan, the United States, and ASEAN nations. 
  • Joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, and defence industrial collaborations will be crucial in countering regional threats, particularly from China.
• Modernization and Capacability Building of Defence Industry: Focus on modernizing India’s defence industry through indigenous production and partnerships, especially in stealth technology, aircraft refuelling, and missile systems. 
• Protecting Strategic Maritime Routes: Given the importance of the Indo-Pacific region, India should enhance its maritime capabilities and increase cooperation with regional partners to secure vital shipping lanes, especially the Strait of Malacca.        
• Diplomatic Engagement: India should strengthen its role as a regional stabilizer, advocating for a balanced power structure in Asia, opposing China’s hegemonic ambitions. 
  • Promoting “Indo-Pacific” cooperation will help India position itself as a central player in shaping regional security dynamics.
• Expanding India’s Defence Export Market: India must boost domestic defence production to manufacture high-quality, cost-effective systems, strengthening its capabilities and creating export-ready products to meet global demand.
• Investing in Technology and Innovation
  • Promote private sector involvement in advanced weaponry, surveillance, and cybersecurity.
  • Foster public-private partnerships for rapid technological advancements.
  • Leverage initiatives like the India-US ICE-T partnership to drive joint R&D, technology transfer, and a robust defence tech ecosystem.

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Conclusion

India must accelerate its reform efforts to address the growing defence capability gap with China and capitalize on the global opportunities available to transform its defence industrial base.