The truth is that in regard to the Indo-China border issue, India may not receive overwhelming global support. India understands this. Yes, India has a very clear position on the McMahon line; but during October 2008 the British Foreign Secretary David Miliband nevertheless issued a statement that didn’t support the 1913 Simla accord, which the British were party to, towards demarcating the India-China border. In view of this, India needs to remain prepared on its own strength. Military preparations can’t be only sector-specific. The overall preparedness level of the IAF, given the induction of force multipliers like air-to-air refuelling aircraft and AWACS, is increasing rapidly; and the induction of fighter aircraft in the Northeast clearly gives a signal to China that 1962 is “history” and India no longer hesitates about air power.

The writer researches non-traditional threats to national security at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, Delhi

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