Race with China.. where does India stand..??

ISRO denied having any race with China.. India has always denied having any kind of race with china,whether that is of arms, exports, natural resources, space or technology. 

At the same time, we cannot ignore the comparitive between India and China. Lets start with basic facts:

Parameter:	India	China
Total population	1.2 billion	1.34 billion
Area	3.3 Million Sq Km	9.7 Million Sq Km
GDP(nominal)	$1.9 Trillion	$8.25 Trillion
Per Capita (per person per year)	$1,592	$6,094
Now comes Military comparison
Active Personnel	1.325 Million	2.285 Million
Military Budget	$48.9 Billion	$114.2 Billion
Total Aircraft Strength	1,962	2,743
Helicopters	559	100
Total Tanks	3,555	7,950
Armoured Fighing Vehicle	2,293	18,700
Self propelled Guns	330	2,500
Mulitple Launch Rocket System
System	292	2,600
Total Navy Ships	170	972
Aircraft Carrier	1	1
Submarine Strength	15	63
Frigates	14	47
Destroyers	8	25
Corvette	24	0
Amphibious Assault craft	16	228
Maximum Range of Missile 3	3,000 tested	13,000 tested

There can still many parameters that can be compared. There are certain important points to be notes. India and China have been top importers of arms in last three years. what has changed is China has become fifth largest exporter of arms too (5 yrs ago, the export was nil).

India has always been in denial mode with regards to competition with China.

Twist to Tawang Saga...

India has atlast decided to offer some resistance to China's unchequered moves.... Beijing lodged a verbal protest over the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh's description of Arunachal as "Our land of the rising sun". External affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee asserted that "Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part" of India, and that "the PM can visit any part of the country".

This sharp reaction was infact very necessary for a quite long time. India has not been reacting sharply to chinese overtures over the Tawang. In a sense, New Delhi has only itself to blame for looking over its shoulder every time it mentioned Arunachal, fearful of allowing the sino-Indian boundary question to overshadow the narrow meeting ground between the two countries on various confidence measures.

Although China has given up its territotiral claims over sikkim, it reluctance to do the same regarding the Arunachal Pradesh shows its stubborness & ununderstanding nature. The Chinese have not yet declared their version of maps delineating the border areas. This itself shows that China is reluctant to settle the border row in amicable way. The more we try to avoid the confrontation is to allow them to make more noise regarding their stance on the issue and beware the tin which makes more noise is always visible..

India needs to make more noise about its stand as CBMS are not gonna make any headstart towards amicable settlement..

Pakistan to mass produce JF-17 Single Seat Multirole Chinese Fighter Aircraft

Pakistan began on Tuesday Jan 22, 2008, the mass assembly of a JF-17 fighter at an aircraft-manufacturing plant in the northwest of the country, national television reported.

The JF-17 Thunder, also known as the FC-1 "Chao Qi" Fierce Dragon in China, is a single-seat multirole fighter aircraft developed by China. It is based on the design of Russian MIG 33, which was rejected by Russian Airforce. Earlier the costs odf these planes was said to be $10 million but the curretn reports suggests that the costs have escalated to $20 million per piece with production of 300 planes. Earlier the serial production was to be started in Jan 2006 but got delayed due to modifications/upgradations sought by pakistan air force.

China had made a deal with Musharraf in 1998 to manufacture 150 such aircrafts in Pakistan. About 50% of the on-board equipment and avionics for the fighter will be manufactured in Pakistan at the Kamra plant, while the rest of the assembly parts are to come from China.Pakistani Air Force Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed, said last year that 15 aircraft would be manufactured in 2008, and a further 20 next year, with an ultimate goal of achieving the capability to manufacture 25 to 30 aircraft per year.Pakistan has announced that it could procure 150-300 aircraft to meet the tactical and strategic needs of its Air Force and to replace the Chengdu F-7P fighters in current service.Beijing delivered two $20-mln JF-17 fighters equipped with Russian-made RD-93 engines to Pakistan in March 2007, prompting Indian protests. India claimed the deal was a violation of the end-user agreement between Russia and China.

The JF-17 is a light weight, all weather, multi-role aircraft having a capability to fly at a speed of Mach 1.6 and a high thrust to weight ratio. The aircraft has the ability to engage targets at all speeds and altitudes within the conventional flying envelope. In the surface attack and interdiction role, the aircraft can strike at long distances. The combat jet has been installed with an advanced flight control system, which is a mix of conventional and fly-by-wire controls, making it highly agile and manoeuvrable.
The aircraft would be capable of carrying short-range, beyond visual range, anti-ship as well as anti-radiation missiles. Additionally, the carriage of high and low drag bombs, laser guided bombs, run away penetration bombs and cluster bombs would be catered for.

Pakistan----Unstable Neighbourhood

The recent turmoil in our neighbourhood has left evrybody in an uneasy situation. Pervez Musharraf's recent actions seem to suggest a nation to be on brink of collapse, even though reconciliatory voices are being made by the President.

To end the crisis of leading the country on two fronts i.e. militarily & politically, the ongoing president sought a middle way out by having a US brokered deal with former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Even after packing of Nawaz Sharif to Saudi, everybody was convinced that Musharraf wanted to step down as military ruler and take over the reins as the civilian President of the country.

Benazir Bhutto, former Prime Minister of Pakistan entered into deal with musharraf wherein she would be allowed to come back to Pakistan and take part in elections and Musharraf would step down as Military leader and assume the post of civilian President.

But even before drying the ink of the deal, the volte-de-face by Bhutto as to raving about actions of musharraf immediately on landing in pakistan sent a wrong note of her intentions. Bhutto instead of trying to have fair elections started ranting about musharraf and his cronies. This has lead to a peculiar situation, where though a military leader was ready to accede power to politician, the ramblings have lead a question mark on Bhutto's intentions.

Evrybody is trying to call Musharraf's actions as unwarranted, but has anybody thought what would happen, if a person like Benazir Bhutto comes to power? the lady who has been already facing charges for her role in rampant corruption in the state. the lady who immediately changed her tune once reaching pakistan. the lady who does not recognise the immediate situationin hand and instead goes on offensive against the person who brought her in pakistan back.

Musharraf is in a unique situation, where all his efforts to change pakistan have failed. Extremists have increased the hold over the state. Military itself has been echoing misgivings about their general. whatever little crackdown of militants has turned ISI against the government.

If there is no stable ruler (whether military or political) in pakistan, it will have grave consequences on India too. India at this juncture is having a party with its economy zooming, rising stock markets, burgeoning forex reserves, strong currency and buoyant growth in economic health. India cannot afford to have a failed state in the neighbourhood. It will bring the chaos of Afghanistan to our doorstep. It will unreasonably increasse our defence expenditure and bring an abrupt end to the party.

India needs to make sure (by hook or crook) that Pakistan does not end in civil war and become a headless chicken with no effective control over its defence & nuclear material. Our intelligence system needs to be bolstered at this moment to understand the exact temperature within the neighbouring state.

But alas our politicians are interested in their own (read political party) affairs than about our nations....

Pact with Singapore---Securing Boundaries

On 9th October, India and Singapore signed a long term defence agreement, wherein both the countries will conduct joint training and give fresh impetus to defense tis between both countries.
India will lease out military bases to Singapore for five years on payment bases. Kalaikunda base is being leased out where singapore will station most advanced F-16 fighter aircrafts. India will also get to learn a great deal about the advanced technologies used by that nation. singapore has one of the most advanced military forces in the world.

Singapore has one of the highest per capita expenditure on defence in the world. The armaments maintained by it one of the most sophisticated. The pact will give India a paak into the advanced technologies in the world of defence.

Singapore has simliar kind of pacts with nations like France, US, Australia and Taiwan.

India and singapore have been jointly patrolling in the Indian Ocean for security to the commercial vessels in malaicca straits.

The deal will also provide intelligence inputs to India on high seas.

Pact without Bargain with Austalia----India's foolishness

Australian Defence Minister Brendan Nelson is on a visit to India to strengthen defence ties, particularly in the maritime survellance. It is being alleged by China that Australia, US, Japan & India (so called "axis of democracy") are seeking to "contain' China.

It is true to some extent that Australia and Japan have been wary to growing military might of China in the Asia Pacific region. Australia's Defence Minister before coming to India was in China and has tried to assure China that nobody is planning against China. even Indian Prime Minister has conveyed to Chinese Premier that they are not ganging up against China. In Short, everybody has tried to allay Chinese fears. But the situation on the ground remains different. US has still not made any comment on these developments or chinese allegations.

Brendan Nelson will sigining a pact with India for exchange of information. This will basically cover future defence deals, joint research projects and other co-operation where it is necessary for military of both countries to share classified information.

My Analysis & Recommendations:

Japan is an traditional nemesis of China and has always been wary of growing Chinese military might. Japan does not have armed forces of its own. Its military security is the responsibility of US and so japan has maintaining close ties with washington. Japan is concerned about China being militarily as well as economically growing at a fast pace. Until now, Japan was only the only economic super power in Asia Pacific region. It finds its position to be under threat now.

Australia has very close ties with US and has always supported US in all its deciions right from Iraq invasion to War against terrorism. Austalia being a island continent has being wary of chinese might in asia Pacific waters. it had recently also raised concerns about chinese A-sat (anti-Satellite) test and its repurcussions. It defintiely wants to curb the power5s of China.

US has not found enough ground in Asian region and has been trying to contain growing might of china. it has also being wary of China's attitude towards Taiwan and has also decided to extend missile sheild over Taiwan too.

India has own concerns and has always overlooked geo-political equations. India's approach towards international politics hasbeen pathetic with unable derive gains from its realtions with other countries. Even now when Australia, Japan and US are tyring to enlist India for conatinament of China, India should hard bargain and try to get maximum benefits from the same. India is rarely leveraging its influence on Indian Ocean Rim Association (formed by India with countries surrounding Indian Ocean). neither has India given thought to leverage this pact to get Australia moving on export of uranium to India, which is of prime importance to India.

India should try to persuade Australia to change its stance on export of fissile material to India, which it has stopped after "Pokhran 1998". It should also try to push nuclear pact with australia also on the same lines as with US. Indian navy should play a greater role in Asia Pacific region. Indian navy has always been on forefront to contain piracy onhigh seas and has always helped australia for that.

India should not fall prey to "democracy' plea of these countries and leave a chance which could benefit them. every pressure tactics have to be used to deieve maximum gains.

Lets hope India understands this......

Importance of Pervez Musharraf's Survival

We have an saying An Intelligent enemy is better than Stupid Friend. Even a saying in Persian quotes " An intelligent enemy will help you rise while an ignorant/stupid friend will knock you down"

This is precisely why head of the state like Pakistan should be Pervez Musharraf and some fanatic being a puppet of Jihadis or extermists organisation like Taliban, al Qaeda or jaish-e-etc.
Though both the states i.e. India and Pakistan should strive for peaceful solution for their border disputes (I had earlier also outlined some solution for the same.), the enemity between the states will take quite a long time to reduce to tolerable levels. that would require reducing the influence of extermist organisation on the general public in Pakistan.

In the current situation in Pakistan, there is dearth of suitable/effective alternative to the leadership of Pervez Musharraf. Pervez Musharraf has tried his efforts towards reducing jihadi elements in its country by joning the "war against terrorism" by George Bush of America, a lot still needs to be done on that front. Benazir Bhutto has been residing in London for quite long time now fearing the arrests in her own country for her misdeeds while in regime. Nawaz sharif has been exiled to Saudi Arabia for his disloyalty to Pakistani army and can do nothing more than ocassional comment on Pakistani affairs (recently he claimed technically still to be Prime Minister and Rafiq tarar as President). No other person currently in the cabinet is as effiecient to be runing the country. Even the current prime minister Shaukat Aziz is a Banker by profession, worked with world bank earlier, not very proficient in politics (he initally was finance minister).

The only sore point in his rule was the way in which he has handled his continuance of his as head of state and implement his policies. I had compared his tenure with that of Vladimir Putin earlier. Recent bluffs called by Pervez Musharraf with Judiciary of Pakistan has got hit in face, but considering his hold on the state and the statemanship and political activism displayed by him earlier in his rule would make him prevail the current crisis also.

Along with that we also need to realise that Pakistan, though helping USA in its fight against terrorism, is also major source of terrorism in the world. Most number of terrorist organisation are fostered in Pakistan and find safe refuge there. Even Defense Secretary of USA Robert M. Gates had commented in the same words the contribution of pakistan towards extermist organisations.

BUT, in his absence, there is no formidable personality to take his place. This is also the reason why the leadership in USA is also hesitant to replace him or oust him from his place. No body can afford to allow the elements, who are responsible for deadly acts across the world to take over the power of the state. That would give rise to thousand more A Q Khans and like. Nuclear Proliferation would be order of the day and not only 9 states but more than 15-20 harbouring aims of nuclear power would find their hands on nuclear arsenal and technology of Pakistan.

We cannot afford to have an neighbour which is completely irresponsible having its head of state from the organisation like Al Qaeda or Taliban. Nuclear arsenal in those hands would make south asia a nuclear flashpoint. Nuclear war will seem to be eminent. Such leadership will have serious bearing on our ability to project our country as safe state to do business with.

All the above factors point to a single thing that in the absence of successorto Pervez musharraf, his stability is most important for India.

Arunachal Pradesh Neighbour's Envy, Owner's Pride

India has besetted itself with problems like gujjar agitation and has been ignoring issues like border dispute with China over Arunachal Pradesh. India should not overlook such issues for petty politics within the country.

Arunachal Pradesh with the potential for hydro electric power 30,000 MW, huge mineral deposits, immense potential for exploration of rare earth minerals and other exotic metals.

China has already engulfed Tibet and has always claimed Arunachal Pradesh as part of China renouncing Mcmahon Line. China is already reaping gains of having tibet. They have found huge deposits of minerals in Himalayan Kingdom (Tibet) and also potential oil and gas deposits.

Recently Beijing denied VISA to an officer from Arunachal Pradesh has brought forward the vexed issue of border with china and Chinese aproach towards the dispute resolving. Earlier also when chinese premier Hu Jintao visited India, an chinese ambassador declared that AP (Arunachal Pradesh) was and will always be part of china and China will reclaim it from India. All the CBMs(confidence Building Measures) between two countries have been nullified by recent developments.

This also shows Chinese reluctance to dialogue and their stance on this issue irrespective of what talks are proceeding towards.

China has recently commissioned railway line linking Tibet with mainland and also developed huge infrastructure in the tibetan kingdom. This all shows Chinese resolve to wrest from India resource rich state like Arunachal Pradesh.

In 1962, when chinese premier had visited India, India had shown them how Indian defence industries are manufacturing pressure cookers for Indian public and shown them shallowness of Indian defence. India now again has talking of joint military exercises with china, which will again reveal them inefficiences of Indian defence.

China, progressing their geopolitical ambitions, have tried to provide military assistance to countries like Pakistan (having stance like Enemy's enemy is our friend), military regime in Bhutan and Myanmar. These all incidences shows hegemonistic ambitions of china and reflect it in their actions.

India while focussing on its economic achievments has been overlooking geopolitical developments in the region and has ignoring military buid up in its neigbouring countries.

India needs to be proactive in its approach towards regional and world politics or else it would be neighbour's pride and owner's envy and not vice versa.

Karachi in flames

Never before in history of Pakistan has seen protest by the public against the ruling power. After the Musharraf suspended Mr. Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, this happens to be one of the most violent protest in pakistan till date. Mr Chaudhary had shown guts to test the mettle of Musharraf led government.

Musharraf in race to hold on to its post, has undone the popularity gained by him after his successful coup in 1999 dethroning Mr. Nawaz Sharif. I had earlier also tried to bring out the mistakes made by Prevez Musharraf in comparison to Vladimir Putin and had remarked that the wrong way chosen by musharraf to implement his policies.

In zeal to cling to the power and bring out requisite changes in the system, one first has to adhere to it. Pervez Musharraf has instead chosen to play with one of the basic foundations of efficient state i.e. Judiciary.

The situation can be more aptly described as "catch-22' for India.

The question now is not whether Mr chaudhary will be reinstated or not? But the million dollar question is whether public of pakistan be able to assert themselves and make themselves heard by their rulers? Or will this spark of new found enthusiasm in the minds of public bring a monumental change in the politics of the state of Pakistan?

Both the results need to be analysed very carefully. It must be noted that to resolve any dispute with the neighbours, a stable regime is always warranted. One cannot reason with suicide bombers and expect them to thnk rationally. So stability of Pakistan is of utmost importance to India. In the event of pakistan's public unrelenting to the pressure ay spark of revolution in the country, which may lead to civil war. This would ultimately weaken the hold of rational people over the nuclear assets of Pakistan. With Persons like A. Q. Khan still being around, we cannot risk nuclear assets falling into rogue hands.

On the other hand, if the government is successful in stopping the violence and assert its decision over the people of Pakistan, this will permanently subdue the efforts of the public to bring democracy in the country. This will ensure that whoever rules Pakistan, will always rule with an iron hand and our neighbourhood will always remain an turbulent one.

LTTE & their blackmail

In 2005 when Sri-Lankan government alleged that LTTE (Liberation of Tamil tigers Ealam) has built airstrip and have also acquired 2 small aircraft. It was alleged that LTTE had acquired 2 Czech built Ziln Z-143 aircraft. Nobody would have imagined that it could be such a serious threat 2 years later.

LTTE at that time had warned that if Sri-Lankan government tried to bomb that airstrip, the peace process comes to an end and bloody war will follow. Though Indian and other international intelligence had detected the presence of LTTE personnel taking training in local flying clubs in Europe.

LTTE not only build airstrip but also vindicated the claim that they had acquired aircraft and also carried out three successful attacks on Sri-Lankan terrritory.

The stance by LTTE in 2005 while peace process was on and the attacks later on using the same airforce shows the farcical nature of the peace process LTTE was adhering to. It proves that they never were serious about the peace in the region.

India should that fact into consideration while dealing with LTTE in the future.

Recently Australian Foreign minister Alexander Downer accepted the fact that some amount were being raised intheir country to finance the operations of LTTE. He then terming that as small quantities does not diminish the significance of that fact.

Western governments have always being critical of policies of governments of Countries in Indian sub-continent but never ever gave thought to what was their contribution to the terror in this part of the world.

Recently some of lawmakers in Britain claimed that LTTE are not terrorists. They are supposedly thinking of lifting ban on LTTE imposed in 2001. European seemed to be ignorant of the latest developments on this front. The behaviour of LTTE does not in anyway indicate that LTTE will settle for peaceful solution.

LTTE recently also raided Indian ships and stole huge amounts of foodgrains. there have been instances where large amounts of arms and their spares recovered from Indian soil points to the level of infiltration of LTTE in our country. India allowing LTTE to operate in our country could cost us very dearly considering the fact of Assasination of Rajiv Gandhi by the same LTTE.

Emergence of LTTE as powerbase should India to rethink its strategy of being a passive spectator of Sri-lankan crisis. some of the TN leaders expressing views that taking support of LTTE is not wrong shows the lack of any opinion and thinking on this serious matter.

India should better take a stand now or face the consequences of unabashed behaviour of LTTE later.

Untangling Kashmir Mess

What appears to be is that the Kashmir entanglement holding up the potential gains of SAARC. The animosity between India & Pakistan has spilled over in SAARC which has led to its factional politics at SAARC. Trade within SAARC is 2% of their member GDP while that for South Asia is 20%. The official trade between India & Pakistan is of $ 400 Million, while the unofficial trade is in the range of $ 2-2.2 billion. The potential of trade between two countries is $ 6.6 billion. The hate-factor between two nations has cost the citizens of both countries very dearly.

The root of animosity lies in the Kashmir problem. In last 50 yrs both the countries have tried to achieve political gains for themselves in the regional & international arena by leveraging Kashmir problem. Resolution of this problem can lead very outstanding results for whole of Indian subcontinent. But with the current arguments, neither of countries, without budging, from their stands can resolve this issue.

Many people have in fact suggested and tried various solutions for this issue. None of which has made considerable progress from the fact that common borders have always led to increase of tensions rather decreasing it. To diffuse the tension between two countries, we need to create insulation between two countries, which not only discharges the tension but also allows them to reap benefits by contributing to that insulation.

My Recommendations:

Though I believe, Pakistan has forcefully occupied some part of Indian state Jammu & Kashmir and also handed over part of Kashmir (Aksai Chin) to China, taking back of that will involve huge losses to both the sides. We may even risk a nuclear war, which will lead to total annihilation of Pakistan and make India vulnerable to even states like Bangladesh & Sri lanka.

My seven point agenda is as follows:

• Let the Pakistan and India have their own territories now under their control. Let that be converted to International boundaries.
• The Pak Occupied Kashmir (also known as PoK) be declared as separate state with its own jurisdiction & be called as Azad Kashmir hence forth.
• India & Pakistan, both will not interfere in the functioning of Azad Kashmir.
• Azad Kashmir to be developed on the lines of Switzerland, which has no army of its own, free of all international laws.
• It will be responsibility of India and Pakistan to protect Azad Kashmir from any external aggression.
• Both India & Pakistan will get Azad Kashmir UN membership.
• A tripartite memorandum needs to be signed stating that anybody violating constitution, integrity & freedom of Azad Kashmir will be prosecuted by both countries jointly.
• Let Azad Kashmir be tax haven and all the trade between India & Pakistan be carried out through Azad Kashmir only. That can be the source of income for Azad Kashmir.
  

These measures may lead to Azad Kashmir acting as a buffer between two countries and also at the same time developing that into very powerful state, which in fact would be owned by both of them. Azad Kashmir will act as lubricant in the friction between India & Pakistan. No aggression pact will also carry credibility in international for and bring in moolah from the whole world itself. Developing on the lines of Swiss would make it financially secure.

There is a study group, which tries to look into the problems of Kashmir & possible solutions for it. More can be found about them at this website http://kashmirstudygroup.com/

The above idea is mere outline of my though process and can be more refined to suit the exact conditions there.

Turbulent Neighbour, Unsafe Borders.....

Iajuddin Ahmed, President of Bangladesh, declared state of emergency after the current turmoil in country, which witnessed huge surge in pre-poll violence. It has come after UN suspended all support for elections in wake of boycott of elections by the opposition. Even European Union has withdrawn its poll observation mission.

The situation has become more chaotic in our neighbouring country inrecent years and this bores significant concerns for us as the chaotic neighbour can be source potential problem to us. In case of Bhutan, it helped us by flushing out ULFA from their country, which was really noteworthy. The same course of action cannot be expected from country like Bangladesh which has embroiled itself in internal strife and chaos. A country which has huge resource of natural gas and possibly of oil also is in a pitiful state.

Though India has refrained from interfering into matters of other states, it should take some strategic view of the current situation there.

As you look at the map of Bangladesh, it is covered with land on its three sides by us and the fourth side faces ocean, the bay which is completely dominated by India. A small thorn in this area is not warranted as the country has been of no importance to us. None of its actions have been beneficial to us, infact they have been detriment to us.

My course of Action:

while taking any decision about Bangladesh, we need to analyse all the factors affecting us and try to derive maximum gains from it. The positive points about Bangladesh are its only and only one thing that is gas reserves. Bangladesh has huge proven gas reserves of about 11 tcf (trillion cubic feet). Though, experts feel still lot more gas remains to be discovered in the region, the country can be in the eyes of lot of other energy deficient countries like China. The negative points list is bit long with hostility of current political leadership towards India, internal chaos, incompetent leaders. The other major negative point is huge flooding of the country in monsoon. It is 75 % submerged while in floods.

So if India ever decides to takeover the country, there would always be more than profit from it. The best possible action would be to take over the benefits and leave the problems to be tackled by themselves.

India should enter into a bilateral arrangement with Bangladesh, where India should guarantee market to the Bangladeshi oil and gas for next 25 years at the predetermined, negotiated price. In return for that India will develop all of its oil and gas fields and all the reqisite infrastructure for it. Indi would issue aid to the country in the form of soft Rupee loans for next 30 years for developing the infrastructure. The same would be repaid by the country from its earnings from sale of oil and gas. The whole agreement has to be set up in such a way that the only currency to be used for transazction between India and Bangladesh would be Indian Rupee. India would provide forex services to their companies, if required by them to trade with other countries.

In this way, the whole development of country will be dependent on us and as all the market for their oil and gas is held by us, we wouldbe able to dictate terms to them. As the trade between them and us would be in Indian Rupee, India would be infact exporting our currency to pay its debts to Bangladesh. As Bangladesh would find ready market for its gas-produce, they will place huge demand for Indian goods, as they will readily have Indian rupee reserves to pay for it.

25-30 years arrangement for oil and gas will solve some procurement problems for future demand for energy and energy equivalents. We will have some kind of buffer in form of Bangladesh. As the oil and gas fields will be developed by Indian companies(though in participation with local companies there), we will have some kind of reserves for us. Bangladesh will be our natural ally as its development will depend on ours and we can thus buy our safety and also some of energy concerns.

Already we are finding huge reserves in Bay of Bengal and we cannot ignore the safety of that region for our own benefit.

Though the scheme above canbe still more refined, it is by product of crude thinking of my own. Hope India starts some strategic moves and establishes itself(firmly) as global power (and not as only a regional power).