defence-india-report
May 12, 2007
From: Mrityunjay Bose
Geo-economics gaining precedence over geo-politics
BY MRITYUNJAY BOSE
MUMBAI: With geo-economics gaining precedence over geo-politics, the tasking of defence forces the world over, are undergoing sea change, according to the latest report of Ministry of Defence (MoD), which seeks to explain in detail the current strategic environment vis-à-vis India and proves that the country is not an exception to this change. It points out several issues – the Mumbai blasts, Pakistan's support to terrorists, China's anti-satellite test, rise of fundamentalism in Bangadesh and gun and drugs running from Afghanistan – and how its impacts India.
Given the fact that India shares land borders with seven countries and maritime boundaries with five countries – has a land area of 3.2 million sq kms, a land boundary of over 15,000 kms, peninsular coastline of 7,700 km, 600 island territories and a Exclusive Economic Zone of 2.5 million sq kms, the security concerns are not limited to immediate neighbourhood, but clearly extends beyond the conventional geographical definition of South Asia. It extends from the Persian Gulf to the Straits of Malacca across the Indian Ocean, including Central Asian Region in the North West, China in the North East and South East Asia.
With the economy growing over 8 per cent per annum last year and set to increase further, India's one billion people are increasingly becoming the engine of regional and global growth and prosperity.
"Software, manufacturing, agriculture, nuclear energy, space, disaster management, maritime affairs, entertainment and culture are only some of the areas in which India's role is becoming increasingly vital for the region and the world. With the steady growth of Indian economy, India has now a significant stake in the stable world," the Ministry of Defence Report stated.
It points out that there are grave challenges facing the region. While India and some other littoral states appear to be on the path of sustained economic progress, high level of poverty characterize most of the region. As per rough estimates, it is also the locus of 70 per cent of world's natural disasters. The presence of a number of nuclear weapon or nuclear-capable states makes the situation even more critical. In fact, India has to operate on a neighbourhood fraught with chronic political instability. "There is also an apprehension that sources of conflict between the states would multiply in the coming days and there would be an intense competition among states for water an non-renewable energy resources like oil," said the report.
Unlike the other major oceans of the world, Indian Ocean is bounded by landmasses. Flow of shipping into the Indian Ocean is impeded by many sensitive choke points. Indian Ocean can be accessed from the West only via the Cape of Good Hope, from the North via Straits of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf, from the East via Straits of Malacca, the Sunda and Lombuk-Straits and the OmbaiWetar-Straits. It is well know that oil is a critical factor in influencing the geo-political strategies of a nation, any disturbance in its supply could have serious security ramifications. Considering the fact that India, China and Japan are relying on oil shipments to push forward their economies, it is natural that these countries sensitive to the Sea-Lanes of Communication (SLOCs) and choke-points of the region. Major energy lifelines of the world, carrying 66 per cent of the total world oil trade, pass in close proximity to India, thereby placing the prime responsibility towards safety of this key energy flow.
NEPAL:
At a time when the international scenario is surcharged with violence, insecurity and tension, it is comforting to see in out immediate neighbourhood that the political violence and social turmoil in Nepal has tapered out, with political space opening up for popular democracy. It is, according to the report, encouraging to see the reconciliation of seven-party alliance and Maoists moving ahead. However, the overall security environment in the immediate neighbourhood has continued to deteriorate over the years and there is a need to continuously monitor and analyse developments impinging on the security.
INTERNAL SECURITY:
The global ascendancy of violence directly impacts on India's internal scenario. The violence levels in North-East has shown a marginal increase in 2006, mainly in Assam and Nagaland. Terrorist violence was also witnessed during the year in Mumbai, Varanasi, Malegaon and other parts of India, in which the role of externally-supported terrorist groups was strongly evident. Naxalite violence is also an area of concern.
PAKISTAN:
India is continuing to have security concerns with Pakistan on cross-border terrorism. "Terrorist groups continue to operate freely in Pakistan. They also find shelter, support and training for operations across the border/LoC from elements in Pakistan. Recent incidents of terrorism and suicide bombings in some countries have demonstrated the ever-increasing reach of Pakistan-based terror groups like the homegrown Lashkar-e-Toiba," the report mentions and points out India's commitment to peace. Dwelling on the Indo-Pak talks, the report said: "In fact, the whole dialogue process hinges on building an atmosphere of trust and confidence, free from violence and terror. Infiltration needs to stop and Pakistan needs to take decisive action on dismantling the infrastructures of terrorism. For an effective end to terrorism, the training camps, launching pads and communication networks of terrorist organizations must be eliminated. There cannot be a segmented approach to terror…It is India's hope that demonstrable action will be taken by Pakistan against terrorism."
CHINA:
Today, China is India's second largest trading partner with over 20 billion US dollars worth trade a year. Peace and tranquility continued along the long India-China border as did differences in perception with regards to the boundary issue. China's military modernization, with sustained double-digit growth in its defence budget for over a decade and continued upgradation of its nuclear and missile assets, development of infrastructure in the India-China border areas and its growing defence links with some of India's neighbours continue to be monitored closely. The Chinese assistance to Pakistan's nuclear and missile programme has been a matter of concern as it as "adversely impacted" India's national security environment. "We have taken note of the recent destruction by China of one of its own satellites in the polar orbit through direct ascent anti-satellite test," said the MoD report.
BANGLADESH:
Although India appreciates commitment and assurance given by the Bangladeshi government that its territory will not be allowed to be used to activities inimical to India, we are yet to see the commitment being translated into concrete and visible action. The rise of fundamentalism in Bangladesh is a threat not just to Bangladesh but also to the entire region. India has also viewed seriously the recent involvement of certain Bangladeshi outfits in terrorist activities within India.
AFGHANISTAN:
A sovereign, stable, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan is not only in India's best interest but also essential for peace and stability in the region. "India is concerned over the escalation of violence in the recent months in some parts of Afghanistan. Indulgence in violence by remnant elements of Taliban, al-Qaeda and Hizb-e-Islami continue to be the primary source of insecurity. India is particularly concerned about the anti-India rhetoric being used by some of these terror groups," the MoD report points out.
ARMS/NARCOTICS:
An unprecedented proliferation of narcotics and small arms trafficking in the region threatens the stability of states and societies in the region. India is located in the middle of the world's major narcotics producing and exporting region, viz, North-West Pakistan and Afghanistan on one side and Mayanmar on the other. The involvement of insurgent and criminal groups in the global drug trade is also a major cause of concern. Militant training camps in Taliban-controlled areas in Afghanistan are a major source of international terrorist activities.
EXTENDED NEIGHBOURHOOD:
The security scenario in the extended neighbourhood of India in SouthEast, East, West and Central Asia has been closely watched, as it evolved during the year. The conflicts in Iraq, the Israel-Palestine confabulations, West's growing confrontations with Iran and North Korea have impacted India's economic and energy security concerns adversely.
RELATIONS WITH NEIGHBOURS:
To sum up, India's relationship with all her neighbours is cordial and wide-ranging. There are however, some areas of concern.
Promotion of terrorism by fundamentalist groups in the neighbourhood.
Large-scale human migration to India across our borders by people seeking better economic and stable life.
Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and missiles, especially the development of mobile and increasingly accurate solid fuel missiles by Pakistan.
Continuation of political instability in India's neighbourhood.
(This report was first published in The Maharashtra Herald, Pune)
From: Mrityunjay Bose
Geo-economics gaining precedence over geo-politics
BY MRITYUNJAY BOSE
MUMBAI: With geo-economics gaining precedence over geo-politics, the tasking of defence forces the world over, are undergoing sea change, according to the latest report of Ministry of Defence (MoD), which seeks to explain in detail the current strategic environment vis-à-vis India and proves that the country is not an exception to this change. It points out several issues – the Mumbai blasts, Pakistan's support to terrorists, China's anti-satellite test, rise of fundamentalism in Bangadesh and gun and drugs running from Afghanistan – and how its impacts India.
Given the fact that India shares land borders with seven countries and maritime boundaries with five countries – has a land area of 3.2 million sq kms, a land boundary of over 15,000 kms, peninsular coastline of 7,700 km, 600 island territories and a Exclusive Economic Zone of 2.5 million sq kms, the security concerns are not limited to immediate neighbourhood, but clearly extends beyond the conventional geographical definition of South Asia. It extends from the Persian Gulf to the Straits of Malacca across the Indian Ocean, including Central Asian Region in the North West, China in the North East and South East Asia.
With the economy growing over 8 per cent per annum last year and set to increase further, India's one billion people are increasingly becoming the engine of regional and global growth and prosperity.
"Software, manufacturing, agriculture, nuclear energy, space, disaster management, maritime affairs, entertainment and culture are only some of the areas in which India's role is becoming increasingly vital for the region and the world. With the steady growth of Indian economy, India has now a significant stake in the stable world," the Ministry of Defence Report stated.
It points out that there are grave challenges facing the region. While India and some other littoral states appear to be on the path of sustained economic progress, high level of poverty characterize most of the region. As per rough estimates, it is also the locus of 70 per cent of world's natural disasters. The presence of a number of nuclear weapon or nuclear-capable states makes the situation even more critical. In fact, India has to operate on a neighbourhood fraught with chronic political instability. "There is also an apprehension that sources of conflict between the states would multiply in the coming days and there would be an intense competition among states for water an non-renewable energy resources like oil," said the report.
Unlike the other major oceans of the world, Indian Ocean is bounded by landmasses. Flow of shipping into the Indian Ocean is impeded by many sensitive choke points. Indian Ocean can be accessed from the West only via the Cape of Good Hope, from the North via Straits of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf, from the East via Straits of Malacca, the Sunda and Lombuk-Straits and the OmbaiWetar-Straits. It is well know that oil is a critical factor in influencing the geo-political strategies of a nation, any disturbance in its supply could have serious security ramifications. Considering the fact that India, China and Japan are relying on oil shipments to push forward their economies, it is natural that these countries sensitive to the Sea-Lanes of Communication (SLOCs) and choke-points of the region. Major energy lifelines of the world, carrying 66 per cent of the total world oil trade, pass in close proximity to India, thereby placing the prime responsibility towards safety of this key energy flow.
NEPAL:
At a time when the international scenario is surcharged with violence, insecurity and tension, it is comforting to see in out immediate neighbourhood that the political violence and social turmoil in Nepal has tapered out, with political space opening up for popular democracy. It is, according to the report, encouraging to see the reconciliation of seven-party alliance and Maoists moving ahead. However, the overall security environment in the immediate neighbourhood has continued to deteriorate over the years and there is a need to continuously monitor and analyse developments impinging on the security.
INTERNAL SECURITY:
The global ascendancy of violence directly impacts on India's internal scenario. The violence levels in North-East has shown a marginal increase in 2006, mainly in Assam and Nagaland. Terrorist violence was also witnessed during the year in Mumbai, Varanasi, Malegaon and other parts of India, in which the role of externally-supported terrorist groups was strongly evident. Naxalite violence is also an area of concern.
PAKISTAN:
India is continuing to have security concerns with Pakistan on cross-border terrorism. "Terrorist groups continue to operate freely in Pakistan. They also find shelter, support and training for operations across the border/LoC from elements in Pakistan. Recent incidents of terrorism and suicide bombings in some countries have demonstrated the ever-increasing reach of Pakistan-based terror groups like the homegrown Lashkar-e-Toiba," the report mentions and points out India's commitment to peace. Dwelling on the Indo-Pak talks, the report said: "In fact, the whole dialogue process hinges on building an atmosphere of trust and confidence, free from violence and terror. Infiltration needs to stop and Pakistan needs to take decisive action on dismantling the infrastructures of terrorism. For an effective end to terrorism, the training camps, launching pads and communication networks of terrorist organizations must be eliminated. There cannot be a segmented approach to terror…It is India's hope that demonstrable action will be taken by Pakistan against terrorism."
CHINA:
Today, China is India's second largest trading partner with over 20 billion US dollars worth trade a year. Peace and tranquility continued along the long India-China border as did differences in perception with regards to the boundary issue. China's military modernization, with sustained double-digit growth in its defence budget for over a decade and continued upgradation of its nuclear and missile assets, development of infrastructure in the India-China border areas and its growing defence links with some of India's neighbours continue to be monitored closely. The Chinese assistance to Pakistan's nuclear and missile programme has been a matter of concern as it as "adversely impacted" India's national security environment. "We have taken note of the recent destruction by China of one of its own satellites in the polar orbit through direct ascent anti-satellite test," said the MoD report.
BANGLADESH:
Although India appreciates commitment and assurance given by the Bangladeshi government that its territory will not be allowed to be used to activities inimical to India, we are yet to see the commitment being translated into concrete and visible action. The rise of fundamentalism in Bangladesh is a threat not just to Bangladesh but also to the entire region. India has also viewed seriously the recent involvement of certain Bangladeshi outfits in terrorist activities within India.
AFGHANISTAN:
A sovereign, stable, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan is not only in India's best interest but also essential for peace and stability in the region. "India is concerned over the escalation of violence in the recent months in some parts of Afghanistan. Indulgence in violence by remnant elements of Taliban, al-Qaeda and Hizb-e-Islami continue to be the primary source of insecurity. India is particularly concerned about the anti-India rhetoric being used by some of these terror groups," the MoD report points out.
ARMS/NARCOTICS:
An unprecedented proliferation of narcotics and small arms trafficking in the region threatens the stability of states and societies in the region. India is located in the middle of the world's major narcotics producing and exporting region, viz, North-West Pakistan and Afghanistan on one side and Mayanmar on the other. The involvement of insurgent and criminal groups in the global drug trade is also a major cause of concern. Militant training camps in Taliban-controlled areas in Afghanistan are a major source of international terrorist activities.
EXTENDED NEIGHBOURHOOD:
The security scenario in the extended neighbourhood of India in SouthEast, East, West and Central Asia has been closely watched, as it evolved during the year. The conflicts in Iraq, the Israel-Palestine confabulations, West's growing confrontations with Iran and North Korea have impacted India's economic and energy security concerns adversely.
RELATIONS WITH NEIGHBOURS:
To sum up, India's relationship with all her neighbours is cordial and wide-ranging. There are however, some areas of concern.
Promotion of terrorism by fundamentalist groups in the neighbourhood.
Large-scale human migration to India across our borders by people seeking better economic and stable life.
Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and missiles, especially the development of mobile and increasingly accurate solid fuel missiles by Pakistan.
Continuation of political instability in India's neighbourhood.
(This report was first published in The Maharashtra Herald, Pune)
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