Power accretion and projection

This is a follow-up on the discussion at Maverick's World on the value of exhibitionism in deterrence.

While the consensus is to frown upon the lurid display of power, I wonder if a more judicious display won't be of help.

In the Indian context, the emphasis so far has been on matching the Pakistani build-up and in selected areas like ballistic missiles and ship-launched cruise missiles, on matching the Chinese build-up.

Yet, a time of make-believe peace with our neighbours offers India the opportunity to invest in expeditionary forces that are, and will continue to be, the true currency of military power. It works like this.

A force capable of protecting India's interests outside its borders (whether it is aid to a friendly govt., securing energy or commercial interests or providing humanitarian assistance) functions as a marking of territory and a trip-wire for a potential adversary. An attack on this force will be met with a response from a larger Indian force, which the adversary must factor in. The benefit from this force would come in the way of drawing allies towards a country that possesses such an off-shore capability (the flip side is that it also draws unwelcome attention). The key of course is to be credible - the force must be capable of the task it is assigned and that is a function of many political factors, notably whose playground we are in and whether we are welcome there. Such a capability ensures that India will be consulted in regions that are outside its erstwhile sphere of influence and as a quid pro quo, get a constructive audience when it comes to events within its sphere of influence.

Put simply, the current bonhomie with the US, the relative time of peace with Pakistan and the present period of China's focus on Taiwan must be used by India to develop and position a true expeditionary force capable of protecting our oil interests and expatriate population in the Gulf, to give an example.

India-Pakistan de-hyphenation is the merely the broad, strategic expression of India's intent to play a larger role in the world.