China Strategy

(28 January 1951)

Inside the Pradhanmantri Bhavan, a small group of Satyankar, foreign minister Kiran Devi, Commander-in-Chief of Indian Army K. M. Carriapa, and Commander-in-Chief of Indian Airforce, Subroto Mukherjee, were having a meeting.

Kiran Devi started the meeting by saying, "China hasn't yet joined the Asian Union. When our diplomat asked about it, he was informed that they are still thinking about it. Recently, they invited Dalai Lama of Tibet for a meeting."

Satyankar said, "Knowing the Mao fought against the whole UN army in Korea without any fear, we can assume that if Tibet doesn't agree to join China peacefully, China will invade."

Kiran, who have been to both China and Tibet, and have met both leaders, shared her thoughts.

"China is a communist country. Tibet is a theocratic country with a total of 7 countries recognising its independence, which doesn't include India. We abstained from voting in Asian Union, but Indonesia and Japan voted for Tibet, possibly to weaken communist China.

As we know, communism and theocracy are like water and oil. Even if Tibet peacefully becomes a part of China, I doubt it will remain autonomous according to its demand for long."

Everyone agreed to it.

Satyankar said,"India doesn't have any particular policy towards any type of government in foreign countries. We will interact with communist, democratic and even theocratic countries. And for several years, even fascists like UK and Nazis.

Though interacting doesn't mean we have to support them. We will keep a business neutral relationship until we are strong enough.

How are the living conditions in both Tibet and China?"

"Tibet is an extensely feudal state. And choosing the leader based on superstition, often young, has allowed the feudal lords to grow in power compared to the peasants."

"A perfect recipe for communism."

"Yes. In China, the situation of a common man isn't much different. Some heavy industries have employed people, but due to the government spending entirely on it, the output is low and is taking huge amount of money."

"They still haven't raised any objections to our borders, right? The deadline of 31st January is just three days away."

"No. They have said that they are discussing things even after all this time. But they still show Aksai Chin in their map."

"...Cariappa and Mukherjee ji, how are the preparations going?"

"The radios laid during Chinese Civil War are functioning properly. The orange poles on the mountain tops to indicate the border are covered in snow. So it will be difficult to determine where our border ends.

Our fighter jets and helicopters are stationed in Laddakh, and runways are ready. But completing the military base will take more time."

"And in Arunachal?"

"The base in Guwahati is complete. But if I may, why are we focusing on Arunachal Pradesh too?"

"...Brahmaputra river enters India from Arunachal Pradesh. While the river starts from Tibet, most of the water probably comes from Himalayas. China is very dry for its large population. And capturing it will not only give them water, but mountains looking down at us.

Aksai Chin connects to Xinjiang, but if I was Mao, Arunachal Pradesh would have been more important right now for feeding the huge population."

"Will China really attack?"

"We have to be prepared with the mindset that it will. China sees the foreign powers under the lens of century of humiliation. And India is a part of it because of British.

The opium was grown in India, the Indian tea completely overtook China's monopoly, and we are closer to US than communism.

We are already the fifth largest economy, and the rate at which we are going, it would take somewhere between 3 to 7-8 years to become the fourth, overtaking Britain.

The 'Century of Humiliation' is a victim mentality. It is great for national unity, but it makes everything Us vs Them. People with victim mentality are unpredictable.

Always be ready. On 31st January, the deadline for any objection of Indian borders will end. Nepal, Bhutan and Ceylon have agreed to the borders, Burma has objected the Manipuri land included in our borders, and we have called for negotiations, and Afghanistan has objected, and we have called for negotiations with them as well.

Tibet has agreed to our borders, but China hasn't said anything yet. They might be preparing something.

Keep both army and airforce ready. On 1st February, we will move to the borders. If Chinese troops come, don't open fire until necessary. Throw anesthesia bombs.

But if they don't cooperate and continue attacking again and again, be prepared for war."

"Yes sir!"

"I will need to be in Washington from 31st January to 2nd February. Kiran and Muhammad will be incharge. If the situation escalates to war, you are free to protect our borders as you wish.

But if they launch a full scale invasion, you are free to stop playing defensive and go on the offensive."

"Yes sir!"