Little Red Blog

India and China have signed an agreement establishing a framework for settling a set of long-standing border disputes and for increasing the volume of trade between the two nations. Some will no doubt believe that this is simply a matter of China and India attempting to smooth out the tension and little more. My first thought was that this is more of China attempting to rest control of the region, and India, feeling a bit like the forgotten stepchild, unfortunately playing along.

So why am I not optimistic about the deal?

First, Pakistan has traditionally been armed by China. Along comes the decision to supply Pakistan with F-16’s, along with some debt restructuring, as a means of thanks for Pakistan’s support in the Global War on Terror. India, not at all pleased by the deal, and currently going through an extensive beefing up of its military, as well as its military industrial complex, then signs a non-military deal with China. Does anyone doubt that China, as well, was displeased by the U.S. decision to supply Pakistan with F-16’s or more directly, Pakistan’s cozying up to the U.S. in the GWOT? China, while striving to create an increased role in the economic outlook and military security of Southeast Asia determines that it’ll cease to lay claims to disputed lands and work to end other land disputes with India. India, at the same time has aims on becoming a primary military components supplier to European arms manufacturers, the same manufacturers so desperately seeking an end to the EU arms embargo on China.

On more than one occasion I’ve considered, and discussed, the "perfect storm" of Europe, Russia and China aligning against the U.S. Each time an event such as this occurs I’m renewed in my confidence that there are those who seek to displace the U.S. as the leader of the free world, without realization or concern for the consequences of their actions.

Of course, the terms of the current agreement do not affirm any military cooperation or trade related to arms, yet it stands to reason that within the next few months, when India announces its selection, that the Europeans are now more likely than before to be at the forefront. Just two weeks ago India agreed to purchase 12 used Mirage 2005 from Qatar. The Mirage is a French built fighter.