Astute statesmanship will be required if India is to eke advantage from this “tightrope walk” while maintaining “strategic autonomy”. Russia, in the wake of its bungled invasion, was badly in need of friends when China came to its rescue. Given the rapid decline of Russia’s capability/reliability as a defence supplier and our parlous security environment, India’s decision-makers should worry. SSN-AUKUS brings into stark relief the complete absence of any similar offer of training, military technology or hardware, by the US to India. While “atmanirbharta” is a laudable quest, technology has long gestation periods and we should draw useful lessons from China.

Source: Indian Express May 08, 2023 06:01 UTC