Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
failed. This outcome, I will argue, has been the creation of a now-existing status
quo fundamentally acceptable to Chinese but gravely troubling to Indians.
The existence of asymmetrical Chinese and Indian threat perceptions has not
been fundamentally altered by the international campaign against terrorism
unleashed following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. Most
importantly, the China-Pakistan strategic partnership emerged intact from those
events. As we will see in the following pages, a major basis for Indian fear of
China is the close China-Pakistan strategic partnership.
When Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf confronted Washington's demand
that he choose between joining with or confronting the United States, Beijing
urged him to cooperate with Washington and promised unwavering Chinese
support. Over the next several months Beijing urged the United States to increase
its assistance to Pakistan and give that country guarantees of long term support.
2
Beijing's interests were greatly served by US re-engagement with Pakistan. No
longer would China alone bear the onus of supporting Pakistan—as had
increasingly been the case during the 1990s. In short, the survival and continued
vitality of the Sino-Pakistan entente during the post-September 11 period is
testament both to China's satisfaction and India's deep disquiet with the existing
status quo.
CHINA IN INDIAN OFFICIAL DEFENSE REPORTS
Sharply contrasting threat perceptions are apparent in the official defense
statements issued periodically by the Indian and Chinese governments. Indian
defense reports were issued annually by the Ministry of Defense of the
Government of India during the 1990s. The analysis of India's security
environment in every one of those reports referred directly to China.
The security environment outlined in India's 1992-93 defense report devoted
two full paragraphs to China. China was not interested in negotiations with other
countries regarding nuclear disarmament, the report stated. There had been 'No
reduction so far in PLA (People's Liberation Army) forces along the Sino-Indian
border'. China and Pakistan were assisting Bangladesh in modernizing and
expanding its armed forces. To India's east, 'Myanmar's military relationship
with China continues to grow'.
3
The 1993-94 defense report stated that 'China signed the NPT but broke the
year-long global unofficial moratorium on nuclear testing'. China's nuclear test
of October 1993 was 'part of China's attempt at further upgrading of its nuclear
capability'. China was one of three nuclear powers 'yet to enter the nuclear arms
control process'. The reported 'proliferation of missiles in our neighborhood
such as to Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Iran' was a cause of concern. Pakistan
'has reportedly acquired M-11 missiles from China'.
