Report
On 25 May 2023, the Center for Strategic Studies
and Simulation (CS3), United Service Institution of India (USI) organised a
Round Table Discussion on ‘Chinese Military Challenges’. Maj Gen BK Sharma,
AVSM, SM and Bar (Retd) Director General of USI, delivered the Welcome Remarks.
The guest speaker Mr Roy Kamphausen, President, National Bureau of Asian
Research (NBR), spoke on the topic “Chinese Military Challenges’’. It was
followed by remarks from the discussants - Maj Gen ND Prasad AVSM, VSM (Retd)
and Prof Srikanth Kondapalli. The Closing Remarks was given by Maj Gen
Bhaduria, VSM (Retd), Director, CS3.
Key Takeaways:
1.
There are global shifts visible
and Xi Jinping’s strategy is to achieve “the great rejuvenation of the Chinese
nation’’ by 2049. There are various dimensions to this change like the Chinese
leadership feels that time has come to change the international order as per
Chinese objectives, further the CPC (Communist Party of China) observes that
the size of their economy is growing leading to a rise in GDP as also the
military power of PLA (People’s Liberation Army) is more effective, due to the
modernisation process. However, there are challenges to this model. They
believe that the possibilities of incursions have increased, as also there has
been negative propaganda by the West. Further, there is a notable difference
between the approaches adopted by the USA and China, if the former focuses on
crisis management, then the latter just ignores the same.
2.
The defence budget of China has
increased to 7.2% under Xi Jinping leadership and is championing a more
proactive foreign policy. The current leader is following the footsteps of
Mao’s philosophy i.e. primarily
focussing on national security than economy. Looking at the current scenario,
India and China should have some measures on escalation control specially after
the Galwan clashes. There should be engagement of high-level defence meetings
and de-escalation mechanisms planned on both the sides of border.
3.
However, China changes the
status quo very often which results in clashes. The issue of unsettled border
has always been a cause of worry but with time both the sides are trying to
engage on border through dialogues. The signing of iCET between India and USA
to elevate and expand the strategic partnership and defence cooperation has
been valuable. Hence, the need of the hour is to ensure credible deterrence to
avoid miscalculations and to connect at strategic levels.
Panelists
Round
Table Discussion on "Chinese Military Challenges''
Token
of Appreciation
Group
Photograph
Report by Ms. Tanya
Jain
Research Assistant
CS3, USI