China has become more militaristic, aggressive, and hostile under President Xi Jinping, but India will be one key to countering China, according to the Washington Examiner.
“The United States increasingly supports Taiwan and bolsters Australia’s defence capabilities, but ignoring India will likely condemn any counter-China strategy to failure. Of the 14 countries that border China (21 if maritime boundaries are included), India is the only one that holds its own militarily,” said Michael Rubin in an opinion piece for Washington Examiner.
For two other reasons, India is the most important bulwark against China. For starters, it is now the world’s most populous country.
According to the Shanghai Academy of Social Science, China’s population will be 42% of what it is now by the end of the century. According to Rubin, demographers believe India’s population will peak in 2047 but will still be twice the size of China’s in 2100.
This demographic reality has immediate consequences for army morale and capabilities. Every Chinese soldier is an orphan. He added that his Indian counterpart has three brothers or sisters on average.
The second reason is often taboo in open debate: Taiwanese and possibly Australian fortitude is questionable. Exhibit A in the impact of cyber and influence operations is Taiwan.
Taiwanese information warfare experts have documented how China has used TikTok and WeChat to target specific propaganda in order to soften, if not turn, an entire generation. Chinese bots amplify and like pro-China propaganda videos in order to monetize those that take an approved queue. According to the Washington Examiner, younger Taiwanese either don’t care or are unaware of the incentive trap.
“So, while the US and the United Kingdom work to bolster Australia’s defence, a smaller investment in India could pay greater dividends in case a war ever erupts,” Rubin said.
Regardless of Pakistan’s protests, if the White House is serious about countering China, it is time to include India in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter programme. India could also benefit from assistance in metallurgy, which is essential for advanced gas turbine engines. He added that Washington could also help India advance its nuclear propulsion systems.
