ELECTRONIC JOURNAL OF SOCIAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES - Volume 5 Special Issue VI, July 2024

Pages: 180-187

Date of Publication: 31-Jul-2024

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Book Summaries: Praghna Research Prize 2024

Author: Dr R Srinivasan, Commodore SL Deshmukh NM, Dr Kishore Vaangal

Category: Strategic Studies

Abstract:

Four books were submitted for the Shri Radhe Shyam Gupta book prize announced in the Strategic and Security Studies category for 2024. All of them reviewed by a panel of two eminent professors based on whose assessment, two prizes were awarded on 07 June 2024. The executive summaries/brief synopsis of the books is published as a mark of our appreciation for the scholarly content and refential value of these books.

Keywords: China, India, Russia, Deep Sea Rigs, Oil Terrorism, Books

DOI: 10.47362/EJSSS.2024

Full Text:

MONOGRAPH

China’s Game Plan in Ladakh- Imperatives for India

Commodore SL Deshmukh, NM (Retd)

Executive Summary

“India should be happy with what has been achieved” China said during the Military Commander Level talks (Kaushik, April 18, 2021). This statement was made in conjunction with China’s refusal to comply with agreed withdrawal from Gogra Hot Spring Area in Ladakh sector. This event triggered the concept of this monograph.

India has been cornered by China using its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), String of Pearls Project by ‘Debt Trapping’ India’s neighbours, creation of bases in neighbouring countries, aggressive operations in Indian Ocean Region (IOR), raising Kashmir issue in UN, creating hurdles for Indian Projects in Iran, Mauritius and Sri Lanka, tacit support to Pakistan and Turkey, threat of supporting Naga insurgents in north-east India etc. India is finding it difficult to form a cogent response to above mentioned moves of China, which are linked to China’s ambitions.

The above is being done to support China’s ambitions of being the sole regional power in South Asian and Indo-Pacific regions in the short term and being a credible global power-capable of countering USA eventually. With rise in stature of India in global political arena, China realised that India would be the only obstacle in it becoming the sole regional power. China, accordingly, felt the need to teach a ‘lesson to India.’ China thus smartly timed its recent incursions in the Ladakh region-in Apr May 2020, when India was distracted due to Pandemic and had enforced strictest lockdown in the country.

The time w3as ripe for India to take a holistic view of China’s intentions in general and its moves in the Ladakh sector in particular. India must try and decipher China’s bigger game plan and recalibrate its own response, commensurate with China’s bigger game plan.

It was in this background the task of writing this monograph and analysis of available material was undertaken. It is well known that understanding China is not an easy task and opacity of its moves made the tasks further difficult. An attempt to decipher China’s motives to derive some cogent findings revealed certain gaps in the available material and a need for deeper research.

This monograph thus attempts to evaluate China’s historic Indo-China border dispute and Tibet and Ladakh region’s connect with it, reasons for various actions China adapts/may adapt for engaging with India and need for re-evaluation of the options for India to counter them. The monograph will not only examine Indo-China conundrum with specific focus on Ladakh region in details but will also briefly analyse China’s activities in other areas like Arunachal and others, which would have implications for India. Last but not the least, the monograph will come up with fact-based findings and suggest related measures for re-calibration of India’s response to thwart China’s belligerence on Indian Borders and in Indo-Pacific and IOR regions in general and in Ladakh region in particular.

The monograph will also bring out the need for India making China understand that its belligerence is now reached a watershed moment and amicable, mutual, and acceptable resolution of border issue would be the only practical solution. Such a solution would not only benefit India and China but would also contribute to the peace and prosperity in South Asian and Indo-Pacific/IOR regions.

The book deals with the subject is logically arranged 14 Chapters- starting with Introduction and ending with Conclusion and Recommendations.

Author hopes that notwithstanding these limitations, a meaningful reading experience and appreciation of this long-standing complex issue would result to the readers.

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MONOGRAPH

Probable China Russia Military Pact-Implications for India

Commodore SL Deshmukh, NM (Retd)

Executive Summary

Introduction

At time of conceptualisation of this monograph talk about “China-Russia” Military Pact was in the air. Given the fact that currently Indo-China relations are at lower ebb and Russia- India’s all-weather friend-becoming increasingly perturbed with India’s growing closeness to USA, the probable Sino-Russia Military Pact would certainly have an impact on India in Socio-political-economic-strategic-military spheres.

The monograph focused on analysing various implications of “China- Russia Military Pact” on India and evaluate possible measures India could take to safeguard its own national interests. It may be noted that the analytical thread would need to weave through Military Strategies of China-Russia, their interlinking, bilateral Sino-India and Sino-Russia relations, their linkage with Indo-US reactions, to arrive at a holistic picture.

Chapter-I China and Russia Military Strategies and Common Thread

China’s Military Strategy

Importance of studying China’s Military Strategy till now had been given a secondary importance by India so far. In current dynamic scenario, thorough knowledge of China’s current Military Strategy would be imperative for India. China’s Military Strategy is analysed here.

Russia’s Military Strategy

It is also important for India to focus on Russia’s military strategy. Russia has expanded its military capabilities over the last decade, which has been displayed in its invasion of Ukraine and intervention in Syria. Based on Russian threat perceptions, leadership statements, force modernization, and combat operations since the last military doctrine’s publication in 2014; and points likely to be included in a new Russian military doctrine were brought out.

Common Thread between China’s and Russia’s Military Strategies

It would not be very difficult to find a common thread between the Military Strategies of China and Russia based on the dictum “Enemy’s Enemy is my Friend”. In reference to the Sino-Russia Military Pact, President Putin had said “The time will show how it will develop, but we won't exclude it -indicating the direction in which Sino-Russia relationship is moving.

Chapter II: Sino-Russia Strategic partnership and Probability of Joint Military Pact

The current cooperation between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China has become the most intense since the two countries signed their Treaty of Friendship in 2001. It is also evident that Russia has been actively promoting a “privileged strategic partnership” with China since 2014. Both countries realise that development of mutual military cooperation which would “enrich the strategic partnership between China and Russia in the new era” would play a significant role in maintaining global strategic stability.” The 2019 China’s White Paper makes a clear reference to this fact. Though, some counter views rule out the possibility, analysis goes in favour of the pact.

Chapter III: Implications for India

Analysis of an unavoidable impact on India of “China-Russia Military Pact” would be form the crux of this paper. That would warrant examination of Indo-China/Indo-Russia Relations/ Efficacy of RIC/ Indo US relations/QUAD and entwined linkages.

Chapter IV Impact of China-Russia Pact on India- Analysis

India has felt the need to maintain its strategic autonomy and links with Russia and China. Russia is a special case here. India’s formal trade with it is not significant but it remains vital for India’s defence posture. Leave alone the present, in the immediate future, India may have to seek Russian help to build nuclear attack submarines and hypersonic vehicles since, notwithstanding its close ties with the US, Washington is unlikely to provide them. All the above points, where India would expect Russia’s support would be impacted by formal Sino-Russia Military pact—which could be a big blow to India. This chapter also analyses India’s strategy to minimise the impact

Chapter V: Conclusion and Suggestions

India geographically stands in a difficult region where it has been practically isolated from its neighbours by China with its smart but nefarious designs. India has been facing issues with Belt and Road Initiative of China, China’s belligerence in South China Sea, China’s unabated provocations on the Indian borders, proxy provocations by China through Pakistan and Nepal and the list could go on.

Given complex global environment a tight rope walk is inevitable for India for maintaining its relationships with various countries. Finally. author would like to say that numerous constraints being currently faced by India are well understood. However, when situation comes to matters of national security and national wellbeing, Government needs to take some tough decisions, banking on the maturity of nation’s citizens, who have always stood with the government and risen to the occasion during times of crisis,

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Brief Summary of the book titled “Oil Terrorism et al.”

Dr. Kishore Vaangal

The objective sought to be achieved is simple: after engaging in a sagacious exploration of the highly complex realms of energy security, jurisprudence, and geopolitics/geo-economics, the vexatious and life-threatening issue of Oil Terrorism has been discussed. This cognitive initiative, by definition, objectively interconnects observed phenomena into an everyday understanding of terrorism and its sources of funding via oil resources. As such, the realms of jurisprudence centric to mergers, acquisitions, and consolidations in the Oil and Gas verticals have been delineated to examine various crucial aspects studiously, and whilst doing so, ugly facets centric to corruption, cronyism, and money laundering, Et Al, have been discussed. The text of chapters 2 to 6 explicates on certain intricacies and inherent faux pas, and hence, it sets the stage for Chapter 7 which via building on the foundational perspectives of the earlier chapters goes on to evaluate and expound the complex landscape of energy security and the convoluted links to terrorism eventuated on by oil monies.

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Deep-Sea Rigs – “Sitting Ducks for Terror Strikes.^[1]”

Dr. Kishore Vaangal

Salient features of the book

1. In this regard, it is to be noted that the field of Environmental Protection needs urgent work to be done due to its numerous ramifications, and the dire need of the hour is for curtailing the ongoing destruction of Ecological systems. The research initiative leading up to the writing of the book is timely due to the havoc that the destruction of Deepsea rigs can cause on fragile marine ecological systems.
2. The fragile marine ecological systems that take billions of years to form need to be safely protected.
3. Damages caused to Nature and Marine Ecosystems are many, and the reasons behind them could be very grave indeed
4. Specifically, oil and gas exploration and development cause disruption of migratory pathways, degradation of important animal habitats, and oil spills, which can be devastating to the animals and humans who depend on these ecosystems. More so, when they are caused by vile destruction and the premeditated schemes of terror groups, as these schemes, would by definition, be designed, they cause havoc on the fragile marine ecological systems, engineer huge economic losses, and kill animals and humans in a most despicable manner.
5. Other environmental impacts include the intensification of the greenhouse effect, acid rain, poorer water quality, and groundwater contamination, among others. The oil and gas industry may also contribute to biodiversity loss as well as to the destruction of ecosystems that would be gravely detrimental to the well-being of flora, fauna, and mankind.
6. And to be more specific, vile attacks on oil platforms, rigs, and vessels have become relatively common, leading to much trepidation; the ensuing waste and spills from oil and gas that contain hydrocarbons, heavy metals, radioactive material, salts, and toxic chemicals would indeed be causative of the destruction of the fragile marine ecological systems. Ocean pollution and fires due to spills can also damage marine infrastructure and the vile actors can be seen very often in the South and Southeast of Asia, South America, and South of the Red Sea. The illustration provided with reference to the Deepwater Horizon could indeed be a harbinger of things to come as terror groups have become sensitized to such possibilities.
7. Given that there are thousands of offshore oil rigs around the world, the areas surrounding these rigs are considered to be very good fish habitats as well. These habitats provide marine wildlife with food, and shelter from predators, and are safe breeding grounds as well. Any vile act could endanger several species.
8. In fact, mention must be made of the prognostics, vis- à-vis, the rise in attacks on oil platforms and installations, and the iconic professional who wrote one of the best forewords for the book stated thus: “I must add that my own research in the matter pointed to the fact that from January to June 2022, there were 58 vile incidents against oil platforms and ships. The trend seems to point toward the vile players (terror groups) striking government oil platforms at sea.”^[2]

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