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First Post
2 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
Five years since Galwan: The two-front threat looms larger for India
In recent years, China–Pakistan military cooperation has deepened significantly. In response, India has enhanced its preparedness and strategic coordination, even as managing simultaneous threats on two fronts demands careful resource prioritisation and long-term capability building read more It has been five years since India and China's skirmish in the Galwan Valley, giving rise to bitter relations between the two. It was after nearly 45 years, after the Tulung La conflict in the Arunachal Valley in 1975, in which four Indian soldiers were killed in the Chinese ambush, that India and China suffered military casualties at the borders. There was another incident in Sikkim in which the Indian soldiers chased away the Chinese soldiers; however, no casualties were reported on either side. This led to a worsening of the relations between the two Asian giants, leading India to reorient its approach towards its relations with China. India managed to control the situation from a position of strength and refused to be cowed under pressure from China. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD During the night of June 15-16, 2020, Indian and Chinese soldiers engaged themselves in hand-to-hand combat with the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Both sides incurred casualties; India conceded that twenty soldiers died in the combat, and the Chinese acknowledged only four casualties, but sources confirmed 45 deaths on the Chinese side. Over the next eighteen months both the countries increased the number of forces on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and even exchanged shots against each other. This episode was a landmark in India-China relations, and India revised its strategy towards LAC. Indian forces had minimal armed forces present at the LAC earlier; now it was decided that India would maintain at least 50 to 60 thousand troops permanently besides 40 thousand troops on a rotational basis depending upon the climatic conditions and operational requirements. The Indian foreign minister termed it a 'premeditated and planned action' by the PLA to change the status quo on the borders. How have things changed for India after the conflict? How has the Galwan Conflict changed the dynamics between Pakistan and China, and is India prepared for a two-front war? These are the questions that are being asked by the Indian citizens. Have things changed on the India-China borders? Things have eased up, but tensions are still there. The troop numbers have increased, and it has made a qualitative difference in the situation at the borders before the Galwan. The talks have been going on at three levels between India and China. They are: STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 1. Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) These are mainly at the diplomatic level and practical level to manage the borders and for de-escalation of conflicts. As of March 2025, 30 rounds of WMCC have taken place, the last one being in August 2024. 2. Corps Commander Level Talks These are aimed at de-escalation and toning down of conflicts at specific levels along the LAC. There have been 21 commander-level talks between China and India. 3. Special Representative Level Dialogue These are high-level talks between political representatives of both countries and are focused on a long-term boundary settlement. 21 rounds of discussions have been held between the two countries. In terms of securing the borders, India undertook significant military and strategic reforms to bolster its security posture along the China border. India is now in a position to rapidly reinforce its troop presence at the borders and has established robust defensive positions besides maintaining a regular deployment of acclimatised troops for high-altitude deployment, giving it an advantage over China. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India has also initiated what it terms the 'Cold Start' doctrine for quick mobilisation and created multiple mountain strike corps focused on the Indo-Tibetan borders to promptly respond to these threats in the border regions. In terms of deployment of military equipment, Indigenous artillery, armoured vehicles, and heavy tanks (like T-90 and T-72) were deployed. The Indian Air Force upgraded and expanded air bases near the border, improving logistics and strike capabilities. Diplomatic messages going across the borders have also been very strong. India increased diplomatic engagement, sought international support, and deepened strategic partnerships, notably with the US and the Quad, signalling a readiness to counterbalance China's assertiveness. Has the Galwan Crisis brought India and Pakistan together? The Galwan crisis has proved to a large extent the Kautilyan theory that an enemy's enemy can be a good friend. The collaboration between Chinese and Pakistani militaries has increased. This is not only because of the crisis in the Galwan Valley but also because there have been ongoing investments in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), in which China has invested approximately $50 billion, linking China to the Gwadar port in the Balochistan province of Pakistan. This route flows via Indian territory in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD There is a strategic alignment between China and Pakistan and a sort of 'collusive threat' from both towards India; this was seen partly in the recent escalations between India and Pakistan over the Pahalgam terrorist attacks. Pakistan used large numbers of Air Force and military hardware against Indian armed forces which are of Chinese origin. China and Pakistan are also colluding economically, politically and diplomatically with each other at a deeper level and with a greater understanding. Is India prepared for a two-front war? India has made significant progress in its military preparedness, but challenges remain on the two-front war on the question of a hypothetical conflict between India and its northern and western neighbours. India has dwelt upon this at a military level and is acutely aware of this. In January 2020 Chief of Army Staff MM Narvane was confronted with this question, and later Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat also acknowledged this hypothetical situation. Even the Chinese have similar fears. As it has India on one side and other adversaries in the Indo-Pacific and the China seas on the other. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In terms of India, we need to address this in the right earnest. In view of increasingly powerful and assertive China, Indian armed forces strategy and preparedness need a complete overhaul. Military observers feel that Indian armed forces' preparedness is constrained and its resources overstretched, and the conversion of some strike corps for China-facing roles has reduced offensive power against Pakistan. India's strategy involves deterring Pakistan with credible military threats, as observed in Operation Sindoor, while seeking to diplomatically avoid escalation with China, recognising that fighting on both fronts simultaneously would strain resources and in the meantime keep preparing itself for such operational readiness. Conclusion Since the 2020 Galwan crisis, India has made incremental security improvements through diplomatic agreements and infrastructure development, yet significant challenges remain. The Pakistan-China strategic partnership has deepened considerably, with China providing substantial military assistance to Pakistan. While recent border agreements with China show promise for tension reduction, India needs to be prepared for a potential two-front war. The sustained deployment of over 100,000 troops along contested borders reflects ongoing security concerns. Despite diplomatic progress, India must continue strengthening its military capabilities and border infrastructure to effectively counter coordinated threats from both Pakistan and China in an increasingly complex regional security environment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Amitabh Singh teaches at the School of International Studies, JNU, New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
China sends warplanes near Taiwan after US lawmakers visit Taipei
China sent the most warplanes toward Taiwan since October, a move that follows US lawmakers visiting a top military figure and both the UK and Japan sailing warships through the strait separating the island from the Chinese mainland. Some 46 People's Liberation Army aircraft crossed the median line in the strait in the 24 hours to Friday morning, the defense ministry in Taipei said in a statement. The ministry added that it monitored and 'responded accordingly' to the moves, without providing more details. The flights into sensitive areas around Taiwan comes after a group of US lawmakers held a rare publicly-disclosed meeting with Defense Minister Wellington Koo on Tuesday in Taipei. Beijing vehemently opposes nations it has official ties with — such as the US — from having official contact with Taiwan. China views Taiwan as territory that must be brought under its control, by force if necessary, a stance Taipei rejects. The US is the biggest military supporter for the democracy of 23 million people. The Chinese military activity comes with the US deciding whether to attack Iran. On Thursday, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te told his national security team to have a full grasp of the geopolitical situation. Officials in Taipei have long worried that the PLA may act more aggressively toward Taiwan if the US is distracted by crises in other parts of the world. Separately, Japan sailed a destroyer through the 180 kilometer (110 mile) wide strait last week, Kyodo News reported. That was the third known passage by a Japanese naval vessel, all of which have come over the past year, it said. Earlier this month, Japan said it observed two Chinese aircraft carriers and supporting warships operating simultaneously near remote Japanese islands in the Pacific Ocean for the first time, underscoring Beijing's advancing naval capabilities. Also on Friday, the PLA said in a statement that the UK sent a naval vessel through the strait. Beijing condemned the UK transit on Wednesday as a 'provocation,' saying it undermines peace and stability in area. The Chinese military said its forces would remain on high alert and 'resolutely counter all threats.' The voyage by the UK warship comes as London sends an aircraft carrier and other vessels into the Indo-Pacific, where they'll make port visits in Singapore, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea.
Mint
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
China Sends Warplanes Near Taiwan After US Lawmakers' Visit
China sent the most warplanes toward Taiwan since October, a move that follows US lawmakers visiting a top military figure and both the UK and Japan sailing warships through the strait separating the island from the Chinese mainland. Some 46 People's Liberation Army aircraft crossed the median line in the strait in the 24 hours to Friday morning, the defense ministry in Taipei said in a statement. The ministry added that it monitored and 'responded accordingly' to the moves, without providing more details. The flights into sensitive areas around Taiwan comes after a group of US lawmakers held a rare publicly-disclosed meeting with Defense Minister Wellington Koo on Tuesday in Taipei. Beijing vehemently opposes nations it has official ties with — such as the US — from having official contact with Taiwan. China views Taiwan as territory that must be brought under its control, by force if necessary, a stance Taipei rejects. The US is the biggest military supporter for the democracy of 23 million people. The Chinese military activity comes with the US deciding whether to attack Iran. On Thursday, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te told his national security team to have a full grasp of the geopolitical situation. Officials in Taipei have long worried that the PLA may act more aggressively toward Taiwan if the US is distracted by crises in other parts of the world. Separately, Japan sailed a destroyer through the 180 kilometer wide strait last week, Kyodo News reported. That was the third known passage by a Japanese naval vessel, all of which have come over the past year, it said. Earlier this month, Japan said it observed two Chinese aircraft carriers and supporting warships operating simultaneously near remote Japanese islands in the Pacific Ocean for the first time, underscoring Beijing's advancing naval capabilities. Also on Friday, the PLA said in a statement that the UK sent a naval vessel through the strait. Beijing condemned the UK transit on Wednesday as a 'provocation,' saying it undermines peace and stability in area. The Chinese military said its forces would remain on high alert and 'resolutely counter all threats.' The voyage by the UK warship comes as London sends an aircraft carrier and other vessels into the Indo-Pacific, where they'll make port visits in Singapore, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea. With assistance from Cindy Wang. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
China builds next-gen amphibious barges to flood Taiwan's beaches with tanks, troops
China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) has quietly begun sea trials of its new Shuiqiao-type landing barges, according to state-linked military channels. These amphibious vessels, now battling civilian cars and trucks in logistical tests, are raising alarms in Taiwan as they appear designed to land troops and heavy vehicles on contested islands. Satellite imagery and public domain media confirm that the barges were recently worked on at Guangzhou Shipyard before being trialed offshore. Each vessel deploys a jack-up platform and a Bailey bridge-style ramp capable of spanning 120 meters (393 feet), enabling direct vehicle transfer from ship to shore over otherwise impassable terrain. While Chinese commentators highlight these as dual-use platforms, ideal for natural disaster relief, their scale and configuration closely mirror multipurpose invasion barges likened to the London Mulberry systems of WWII fame. Taiwanese defense officials worry these could bypass fortified beaches and enable rapid PLA landings on offshore islands, such as Kinmen or Matsu, well before the main island defenses can react. The barge tests occur amid increasingly robust PLA drills. In late April, the Eastern Theater Command conducted the major 'Strait Thunder‑2025A' exercises, featuring air, sea, naval, and rocket units around Kinmen and Matsu. Early June saw China's two carriers, Liaoning and Shandong, operate together near Japan and the second island chain, prompting warnings in Tokyo and Taipei. Today's civilian war game in Taipei saw former US, Japanese, and Taiwanese officials simulate a PLA invasion by 2030. Participants noted Taiwan's coastal islands as the likely initial targets, underscoring Beijing's amphibious strategy. China, too, appears sharply aware: the PLA staged amphibious landings 1.5 km offshore Fujian Province, with Type‑05 armored vehicles attacking mock beaches. Taipei's defenders remain anxious. A South China Morning Post report notes growing fear that PLA drills could escalate into real action with 'no time to respond.' US analysts echo these concerns: Beijing aims to be operationally ready for a Taiwan strike by 2027, known as the 'Davidson window,' according to CIA projections. The Shuiqiao barges exemplify China's civil‑military fusion model, blending civilian roll‑on/roll‑off ship designs into the PLA amphibious force structure. That strategy mirrors broader modernization; PLA's Type‑075/076 landing helicopter docks and carrier formations form a triad of increased littoral power. Analysts warn that the barges open new landing options across Taiwan's coast, especially in under-defended areas and estuaries. Their agility and civilian guise complicate Taipei's defensive grid and could pose asymmetric threats to local military calculators. China's amphibious upgrades come as Beijing ratchets up multi-domain drills surrounding Taiwan, and islands like Kinmen and Matsu are repeatedly overflown and blocked. This persistent pressure aims to erode Taiwan's buffer zones while familiarizing PLA units with invasion protocols and integration at sea, air, missile, and cyber levels. For Taiwan, it means tightening island defense, investing in sea-drone swarms, and upgrading missile systems. Taipei's recent self-led war game revealed brittle interior coherence under pressure, fuelling urgent calls for international backing. These new amphibious barges, tested with trucks today and tanks tomorrow, are emblematic of Beijing's evolving posture: flexible, covert, and ready for rapid deployment. As PLA naval and carrier power grows, these floating causeways are a subtle but potent signal. This illustrates how China intends to choke Taiwan's defenses at the periphery before making grander claims for the island. Given the high frequency of air incursions, maritime drills, naval carrier group passages, and growing US concerns, the timing of this barge patrol is no accident. They are the architectural blueprints of potential cross-Strait operations in the near future. Especially as China's defense machinery backs up rhetoric with amphibious architecture, the question for Taipei and its allies isn't if but when and how swiftly the PLA might act.
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
China to evacuate citizens from Israel, US brain drain gathers pace: SCMP daily highlights
Catch up on some of SCMP's biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing China's embassy in Israel said it would begin evacuating nationals via the Egyptian border from Friday. Hundreds have already left the country, while about 1,600 Chinese citizens have left Iran over the last few days. As the world watched anxiously to see whether the Middle East would descend into wider war and the US actively joined Israel against Iran, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth sidestepped direct questions before Congress on Wednesday and otherwise declined to shed insights into the administration's plans. A clip posted to RedNote purportedly shows PLA helicopters flying in formation, some of them carrying red flags. Photo: Handout Videos circulating on Chinese social media that appear to show rehearsals for a major military parade are providing an early glimpse of the scale and symbolism expected when China marks the 80th anniversary of its Victory Day in September.
