Chapter 17: The Timing of Declaring War (5)

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  The capital of India is New Delhi

  New Delhi is located in northern India, east of the Yamuna River, northeast of Old Delhi, and is the country's political, economic and cultural center.

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  The city is centred around Connaught Place, with radial roads spreading out in all directions. The grand buildings of the British era are concentrated in this area, and many government institutions such as the Parliament of India and President's estate are located along the wide, tree-lined boulevards that radiate from Rashtrapati Bhavan through to India Gate.

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  Small white, light yellow and pale green buildings are scattered among the dense green trees. The Parliament House, a symbol of modern India, is a large circular building surrounded by high white marble pillars, which is a typical Central Asian style building, but the carvings on the eaves and pillar heads are all Indian in style. The roof of the Presidential Palace is a huge semi-circular structure, with a strong Mughal flavor.

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  With Christmas around the corner, Delhi's streets are filled with a festive atmosphere. Fashionable men and women, bicycles, tricycles, stray dogs, and Indian sacred cows crisscrossed the main street, creating a leisurely afternoon in New Delhi.

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  But in the conference centre of India's parliament building, there was no hint of the relaxed atmosphere outside - a tense decision that would determine the fate of the nation was being made.

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  The National Security Council of India is the apex agency responsible for military and non-military security affairs. It is headed by the Prime Minister, and includes other senior government officials, along with the External Affairs Minister, Defence Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister. The National Security Adviser (NSA) serves as its secretary.

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  The National Security Council of India, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, is the highest decision-making body on all matters related to India's national security and foreign policy. The members of this council include Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Home Minister P Chidambaram, Defence Minister A K Antony, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and National Security Adviser M K Narayanan.

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  Today's meeting was also specially hosted by Manmohan Singh for the Indian government's think tank on China issues - the Institute of Defence and Strategic Analyses, Dr. Nalin Suri, head of the Centre for China Studies.

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  The problem facing India is actually not complicated: war or peace?

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  China's military deployment in Southeast Asia is no secret to India's top leaders. Indian Defense Minister Fernandes, known as the "number one hawk against China", has a detailed list of all Chinese military forces in Southeast Asia at his fingertips.

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  But these data on paper cannot truly reveal a major power's determination to go to war. Is China just making an empty show of force or does it really plan to directly confront India for the interests of Southeast Asia? So far, India's high-level officials still can't see through China's real intentions.

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  Recently, Islamabad seems to be making some moves as well. Once a direct conflict with China occurs, we cannot guarantee that we will not fall into the unfavorable situation of fighting on two fronts. Since India entered a state of war with ASEAN, the Pakistani army, navy and air force have been frequently mobilized along the Indo-Pakistani border. As the second-in-command of the Indian government, Deputy Prime Minister Advani has always adhered to a policy of strength and is undoubtedly a representative figure of the "hawk" faction in the eyes of outsiders. While Advani has always taken a tough stance on Pakistan, his attitude towards China is pragmatic and cautious. After all, India not only faces Pakistan but also China.

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  "Although the US has maintained a non-committal attitude towards our expansion in Malacca, it will not interfere with China either. The Russians are only interested in squeezing our money through arms sales, and the EU is now being driven crazy by the issue of Malta. It can be said that we have no diplomatic backing."

  Foreign Minister Sinha is a traditional conservative who is filled with doubts about the variables of war.

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  Finance Minister Schindler and Vice Chairman of the National Planning Development Committee, Panter are more concerned about the cost of war. India has spent nearly $60 billion since it entered a state of war with ASEAN countries. In addition to the over $60 billion used for arms purchases from Russia before that, this is close to 20% of India's total GDP in 2007. Once there is a conflict with China, India will add at least $400 billion to its military budget. At that time, India's economy will be fully in deficit. And all this does not take into account the economic downturn and export stagnation caused by the war in India.

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  "What everyone has said is correct, but has anyone considered what kind of situation we would face if we succumb to China's war threats?"

  As Manmohan Gandhi's "chief strategist", the Prime Minister's National Security Adviser, Jaswant Singh, who has rich experience in handling China affairs, is undoubtedly a key figure in India's policy towards China. He said coldly at this moment.

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  "Firstly, our country's long-held hope of moving east will face a complete collapse. The Chinese can bring all the ASEAN countries into their sphere of influence without firing a single shot or bullet, and India will once again be kept out of the Malacca Strait. All the time, effort, and blood that our country has invested in this endeavor will go down the drain. What's even more frightening is that India will become synonymous with cowardice in the eyes of the world."

  Jasper spoke in a low, powerful voice to the crowd.

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  "Alright! Even if we can't win completely, we must fight China to the last drop of blood. We have to prove India's dignity to the world."

  As the first de facto ruler, Manmohan Gandhi undoubtedly had the "final say" in decision-making. He stood up and loudly declared that this would be a battle for national destiny.

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  No one knows what the outcome of this first direct confrontation between great powers in the 21st century will be. However, one thing is certain: after this war, a world-class power will emerge in East Asia.

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  The UN Security Council voted on the 1678 resolution proposed by China, and it was eventually adopted. The statement declared that if India terminated its armed invasion of Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore before December 23, 2007, all necessary measures would be authorized to force Indian troops to cease their aggressive actions.

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  On December 24, 2007, the Chinese government announced that it had entered a state of war with India. Within four hours, China's embassies and consulates in various parts of India began to evacuate. On the same day, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Indonesia also declared a state of war against India.

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  The gigantic war machine of East Asia began to roar violently...

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