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| India must reach out to dispel security inhibitions | | | Karan Bandesha | 8/9/2011 10:19:33 PM |
| Post independence, India formulated a policy of non-alignment and non interference which is, by now, well embedded to the extent that despite its economic and military clout the country is looked upon by the international community as a "responsible power". India is well in sync with the modern global thought process of defence cooperation and preventive diplomacy as concepts that can further security concerns. Within Southeast Asia, India has been strengthening its linkages through strategic engagement, economic liberali-sation and Free Trade Agreements with the ASEAN countries. Other third world countries of the region have, unfortunately, opted for reliance on "defence" (military might) rather than economy as a diplomatic tool. In the absence of wherewithal to fight a sustained conventional war, derivates have been found in low intensity conflict, sub-conventional warfare, asymmetric warfare and the like. The bottom line is an attempt to create instability in countries that are looked upon as enemies by playing the religious card, which facilitates involvement of mercenary elements.Pakistan provides the best example of this malaise. It had all the makings of a prosperous Nation post independence, but its rabid anti-India posture led to frittering away of opportunities and what is left is a failed State on the verge of being controlled by fundamentalist elements. India, on the other hand has been successful in thwarting evil designs of a vitiated neigh-bourhood to march on the path of progress and development. Today, it is on the threshold of becoming a global superpower.
A nation is identified by three main parameters, culture, economy and military might. In the modern context, any nation that has the money and the muscle is automatically considered to be cultured. Therefore, the choice for global posturing is restricted to economy and what is called "Defence", but actually relates to the exercise of military options to further economic and political interests. Historically, the phlegmatic Nations of the European continent created their economic empires on the basis of their military might. The internecine wars that marked the medieval history of the continent followed by rampant colonisation of the third world countries that brought with it bitter competition to assert control across the globe and culminated in the two world wars bears testimony to this posture. However, a reasonably chastised Europe, after the Second World War and the attendant loss of colonial power, took to economy as the spearhead of diplomacy.Defence diplomacy in the modern context relates to markets for military hardware and the use of military power to further national interests. In the first instance, the global military hardware producing nations are salivating over the $100 billion defence market that India will offer over the next decade. While Pakistan is looking for doles to augment its military power, India is creating an indigenous defence research and production capability while exhibiting the means to go for outright purchase of massive defence hardware.
With respect to the creation and exhibition of military power, India, with its fourth largest army in the world and very professional Armed Forces has a decisive edge in the sub-continent.
India and Pakistan have faced a diplomatic détente for many decades mainly because of a feeling of insecurity that the latter state harbours because of the formers size and strength (Economic and military might). This feeling is fallacious since India has never exhibited an intention of overwhelming any of its neighbours least of all Pakistan.
In order to dispel this feeling of insecurity India should take a lead in engaging Pakistan to address the emotion driven ideological and psychological divide. India has to convince Pakistan about its intention to play a benign role in the region which accommodates the concerns of its neighbours; yet India has to be realistic about the need to maintain an upgraded military posture to meet the sub-continental geo-strategic imperatives in concert with its 'Look East" policy.
As a dominant power India has to be credible about its commitment to increasing international security and its obligation to create stable, sovereign and democratic regimes in the region. To further this objective, one avenue that is yet unexplored and which could reap long term results is defence diplomacy. As a beginning, India and Pakistan could try to move beyond the impasses of their diplomatic corps to create a military to military contact which is aimed at reducing the trust deficit. This could be done by exploring concepts of interoperability that both countries are applying with other Nations but fighting shy of bilaterally. Given the shared sub-continental security concerns this would definitely constitute a step in the right direction.A safe and sure beginning can be made by holding sports events which are the best means to break a deadlock, this could be followed by visits of all ranks, especially so to units with which have historic affiliation.The next step could be more concrete measures like defence cooperation activities which facilitate regional security through material assistance during emergencies, training/ joint exercises, intero-perability and professional bonding; disaster management, humanitarian relief, joint patrolling of borders, combating sea piracy are other avenues which can be explored. There can be discussions and training in areas such as military doctrine, career planning, crisis management, dealing with the media and defence planning, in fact, the list is endless and the scope is vast. India being a dominant regional power will have to take a lead in application of this concept. Our defence thinking has to progress from its existing "look inwards' policy to embrace a concept of "outreach".Defence diplomacy has to be made integral to the foreign ministry functions to evolve an integrated and coherent approach that successfully projects India as a responsible regional player and breaks the barrier of apprehensions that our neighbours, especially Pakistan, harbour against us. |
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