SYNOPSIS

ELEPHANT ON THE HIGH HIMALAYAS

RESURRECTING BHARAT TO FACEOFF CHINA

 by Veteran Col RS Sidhu

“Measures undertaken by a nation to overcome its strategic weaknesses are themselves the most lucrative and natural targets for the opponent.”

 

The book provides a very unique insight into the changing discourse between Bharat the new India, and China, and is laid out in three parts dealing with broad setting of historical context, the current standoff, and future portends.

The book starts with An Episode from the Realm of Conjecture, a short fictional story of Bharat that is India conceiving and launching a short and sharp proactive operation to neutralise the threat of two front war from China and Pakistan.

 

PART I – THE CONTEXT

 

“The Battles of the Mind are more difficult to win and have longer lasting impact than the physical war.”

 

Chapter I traces the roots of the current dilemma being faced by Bharat the new India in handling a confrontationist China, to a lack of strategic culture in the corridors of power of South Block. Keeping the military outside the governance structure, and the impact of the 1962 military debacle against China, deeply influenced India’s decision makers to adopt an accommodative policy to Chinese provocations along the common borders.

Chapter II highlights the vulnerabilities of China which propel its geostrategic thought, and breaks the myth of China as a monolithic colossus.

Chapter III, looks at the historic long term vision and thrust of Chinese foreign policy. These insightful findings were initially propounded by the author in 1994. The single minded focus of Chinese geostrategic vision is very thought provoking.

 

PART II – THE PRESENT

 

“You have not explored the frontiers of your full potential if you have not been called Mad at least once in your life.”

 

Chapter IV is an incisive analysis of the mid-2020 India-China standoff in Laddakh and how it is shaping the future of discourse between the two countries.

Chapter V comprises vision document for a resurgent Bharat, from the perspective of a veteran strategic group, as the way out for countering China in the long run.

 

PART III – THE FUTURE

 

“The hallmark of a natural born leader is the ability under stress to transcend the barriers of fear and conventional wisdom, alike, in undertaking actions capable of causing geostrategic ripples beyond intended space and time.”

 

Chapter VI persuasively discusses the influence of Bharat-China rivalry on the geostrategic portends in Asia in 2020-2025.

Food for Thought provides an incisive overview of the ongoing discourse on reforming the defence and security architecture of Bharat, from the author’s perspective.

 

 

“Colonel Sidhu has painstakingly gone through China’s policies, its intentions and capabilities and provided a set of policy options that need to be carefully examined. This book forms a significant value addition to our understanding of the subject.”

Srikanth Kondapalli, Ph D
Professor in Chinese Studies
Centre for East Asian Studies
Jawaharlal Nehru University


Available on https://www.amazon.in/dp/163873657X  

Also available on https://notionpress.com/read/elephant-on-the-high-himalayas 








Comments

  1. Bhalachandra ShirolkarMay 22, 2021 at 6:36 AM

    You have busted myth of China as a Monolith. It can be controlled after all....

    But I was bit intrigued when you mention that China has only 15% of land is fit for cultivation. China I thought if self sufficient in food production.

    China has huge coast line, with free passage. Koreans and Japs are hardly capable of imposing any restriction...

    You have summerised nicely about our course, as Silver Warriors.Though name keeps changing as per the mood of Admin, as Shorty Silvers. The course has not won single Award, gallantary or
    otherwise ?

    A bit more detailed analysis of China's geography was in order...

    Well done!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Valleys and ValourMay 31, 2021 at 11:06 AM

      Dear Bhalachandra, thank you for sharing your viewpoint. Certain clarifications are in order.
      China is a net importer of food grains.
      The issue is not of capability of Japan or South Korea, but of their landmass being available to US and other extra regional [powers to interdict sea lanes of communication in the maritime waters in the region .
      The course mates of the Silver course have definitely earned military laurels. However, only those aspects which concern the overall purpose of the book are mentioned.
      Only those aspects of geography which impact the geostrategic weakness of China have been covered. If interested to know more about geography of China, additional writeups can be recommended.

      Best wishes

      Delete

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