Topic: India and its neighborhood- relations.
3. India gave a calculated and adequate response to the ongoing skirmish with China in Ladakh but it needs to be wary of non-conventional military tactics that China can resort to. Discuss. (250 words)
Reference: Live Mint
Why the question:
There is no inevitability of war but the Ladakh standoff is unlikely to end soon. China has faced setbacks and that is unacceptable for a superpower in the making. It may resort to unconventional warfare.
Key Demand of the question:
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by defining unconventional warfare tactics in 21st century.
Body:
In the first part, write about how the Ladakh Standoff did not materialize to coerce India. With changing contours in America, greater involvement if U.S in Indo-pacfic and US strategy towards containment of China, the China probably took undertook the Ladakh standoff as limited coercion and attempted moral ascendancy. But India’s response for adequate, calculated and it stood firm.
Mention the various unconventional strategies used by china that spur low-intensity conflict that does not cross the threshold of war, artfully taking advantage of the ambiguity in international law as they relate to such actions and activities. With the world growing increasingly inter-connected, and our reliance on internet architecture only surging, disrupting, damaging or dismantling an enemy’s capabilities through combinations of economic manipulation, disinformation and propaganda campaigns and the use of proxy groups and insurgency action, can prove to be crucial cogs in an overarching strategic military strategy.
Mention steps that India can take to enhance its security and maintain its strategic interests.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
