The collusivity between Pakistan and China
poses a strategic challenge for India, potentially creating scenarios where
India could be pressured into fighting a two-front war. Here is an analysis of
the possibility and specific manifestations of this collusion, particularly in
the regions of North-Western Pakistan (NWNP), Balochistan, Pakistan-occupied
Kashmir (POK), and in the event of either an Indo-Pak conflict or a China-India
conflict.
Possibility
of a Two-Front War:
Strategic
Context:
- Historical Alliance:
- Pakistan and China have maintained a close strategic and military
alliance for decades, driven by mutual interests in countering Indian
influence in the region.
- Geopolitical Objectives:
- For China, Pakistan serves as a strategic counterbalance to India,
providing leverage in the South Asian region.
- For Pakistan, China's support is crucial in its ongoing conflict
with India, providing military, economic, and diplomatic backing.
- Shared Military Interests:
- Both countries regularly engage in joint military exercises,
defense technology transfers, and intelligence sharing, enhancing their
combined operational capabilities.
Manifestation
of Collusivity:
In
North-Western Pakistan (NWNP) and Balochistan:
- Infrastructure and Military Bases:
- China’s investments in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
(CPEC), particularly in Gwadar Port in Balochistan, have strategic
military implications. The port and associated infrastructure could
potentially be used for Chinese naval operations and logistics support.
- The presence of Chinese security personnel and military advisors
in the region under the guise of protecting CPEC investments enhances
operational coordination between the two countries.
- Militant Activities:
- There are concerns that China could support Pakistan’s use of
non-state actors against India. Militant groups operating in NWNP and
Balochistan could be used to create instability in India’s border
regions.
- China’s support in terms of intelligence and sophisticated
equipment could embolden Pakistan to intensify such operations.
In
Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK):
- Military Logistics and Infrastructure:
- POK is a critical area for both Pakistan and China due to its
proximity to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China.
Enhancing military infrastructure in POK provides a strategic advantage
for both countries.
- Construction of roads, bunkers, and forward bases, potentially
with Chinese assistance, could facilitate rapid mobilization and
coordination during conflicts.
- Joint Military Exercises and Deployment:
- Regular joint military exercises in POK can improve operational
synergy between Pakistani and Chinese forces, enabling them to launch
coordinated actions against India.
In the
Event of an Indo-Pak Conflict:
- China’s Support to Pakistan:
- In case of an Indo-Pak conflict, China could provide logistical
support, intelligence, and potentially even direct military assistance to
Pakistan.
- China’s presence in POK and its enhanced military infrastructure
could be leveraged to apply pressure on India’s northern borders.
- Diversionary Tactics:
- China could engage in diversionary tactics along the LAC, creating
a situation where India has to divide its military focus between two
active fronts, thereby diluting its military effectiveness.
In the
Event of a China-India Conflict:
- Pakistan’s Role:
- During a China-India conflict, Pakistan could open a second front
along the western border, exploiting India’s divided attention and
resources.
- Pakistani forces could intensify operations in Kashmir, engage in
cross-border skirmishes, or even launch a full-scale offensive, in
coordination with Chinese military actions in the eastern sector.
- Coordinated Attacks:
- Coordinated attacks from both the western and northern fronts
would severely stretch India’s military resources and complicate its
strategic planning.
- Both countries could employ asymmetric warfare tactics, including
cyber attacks, misinformation campaigns, and use of proxy groups, to
further destabilize India.
Specific
Manifestations:
- Enhanced Military Presence:
- Increased deployment of Chinese military advisors and personnel in
strategic areas like Gwadar and POK.
- Establishment of joint operational command centers for better
coordination.
- Infrastructure Development:
- Accelerated development of CPEC-related infrastructure with
dual-use capabilities for military operations.
- Construction of new military airbases, logistical hubs, and
communication networks in POK and Balochistan.
- Joint Exercises and Operations:
- Regular joint military exercises focusing on high-altitude
warfare, counter-insurgency, and coordinated multi-front operations.
- Enhanced naval cooperation in the Indian Ocean region, leveraging
Gwadar Port for Chinese naval presence.
- Intelligence Sharing and Cyber Operations:
- Integrated intelligence operations targeting Indian military and
civilian infrastructure.
- Coordinated cyber attacks aimed at disrupting India’s
communication and defense networks.
Conclusion
The possibility of a two-front war involving
coordinated military operations by Pakistan and China against India is a
significant strategic concern. The close military and strategic ties between
Pakistan and China, bolstered by shared interests in countering Indian
influence, make such a scenario plausible. Enhanced infrastructure, joint
military exercises, and coordinated operational strategies are likely
manifestations of this collusivity. India's strategic planning must account for
this potential threat, ensuring readiness for multi-front engagements and
enhancing alliances to counterbalance the combined might of Pakistan and China
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