Of all the threats which India faces, the biggest is China. Other threats like Pakistani Army attitude and terrorists are proxy threats. China represents a threat in itself. India and China are two civilizations and a conflict between these two will be a civilizational conflict. Pakistani Army and terrorism can be controlled by US influence. Will US be able to influence China to stop attacking India like it can influence Pakistan? China will attack India when others are busy and is advantageous for China. Will India ever attack china even when it feels advantageous?
Second question is the location of Chinese threat. Chinese army is deployed on the higher ground and Indian Army is deployed on the lower ground. Chinese disadvantage of moving troops and equipment over the occupied Tibetan is overcome by feats in road construction, railway line and air strips. China also has built up vehicles/ carriers to move around at Tibet border, while Indian Army still depends largely upon mules. Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), other airfields reactivated, current roads building program at Chinese border are meant to “keep and eye” on Chinese and have very less value when it comes to large scale troop movements. Stationing SU-30 MKI at Chinese borders is the only credible defence on Chinese border which we have seen lately. Does India has the border infrastructure at Chinese border?
Third question is Chinese posses long range artillery, which is not yet employed in decisive manner by India. China has deployed missiles in occupied Tibet and it can hit any part of India it wants. Indian on the other hand has just started building up offensive missile systems which can harm Chinese at their main land. While Chinese will have no remorse to hit Indian populated centers, Chinese PLA can use Tibetan cities as shields. It is possible that Tibetans will rise in revolt, but, its anybody’s guess if china has not built it into calculation. There are fresh examples of how equipped are the Chinese to contain Tibetans. Indian ABM systems are quite a while away. Will India hurl missiles at Tibetan cities? Can India strike Chinese main land with as much damage that Chinese can inflict on India?
The fourth question is formidable Chinese production units that can churn the required military wares in numbers in the event of war. Not just this, Chinese forces have been using and upgrading their indigenous equipment. On the other hand Indian Armed forces, especially the Indian Army does not has such foresight and leadership for almost past 3 decades. India will have to import, non suited equipment from overseas. This was demonstrated during kargil war. Will it come in numbers and right time?
The fifth question is that Chinese can use nuclear weapons first and Chinese have the capability to withstand a nuclear strike and counter strike. Can India boast of such capabilities against the Chinese main land?
The sixth question is that India and China has undefined borders and Tawang is hotly contested. Will India fight the border war on the Indian side of the territory or the territory occupied by the Chinese?
The eigth question is the maturity of Chinese cyber warfare. We have allegedly seen them hacking Indian embassy PC’s. Have Indian cyber warfare team ever tested hacking Chinese networks?
The ninth question is that Chinese trade flows via Indian ocean. The Chinese are building Navy ( PLAN ) to operate in Indian Ocean. Will Indian Navy operate on east Chinese sea?
The tenth reason is the Chinese diplomatic clout and they are a permanent 5 nation at UN. They can block any deal in UN which concerns them. India doesn’t. Can India walk out of UN, when Chinese have an upper hand there?
The eleventh question is the Chinese ASAT test. China has tested its anti-satellite weapon, India has not. Will India be able to destroy Chinese assets in space?
The twelfth question is the Chinese economy and economic clout. Chinese economy can sustain a long war with India. Can Indian economy sustain it? Chinese economic clout spans from Latin America to Africa. Even Us and Russia have Chinese as major trading partner. How much can India influence?
The final question was echoed by the Indian Air Force Chief , Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major. He told Hindustan Times “We know very little about the actual capabilities of China, their combat edge or how professional their military is.” Does India fully understands the Chinese threat?
