INDIA’S MULTIPLE-FRONTS WAR SCENARIO: IMPLICATIONS FOR PAKISTAN

Abstract

A majority of Indian scholars have been arguing for decades that India faces a joint military threat from China and Pakistan, a challenge so vast and complex that it would be difficult for India to manage it alone. The ensuing debate was impactful enough to garner sympathy for India from the US-led West. Eager to strengthen India as a bulwark to China, who moved forward to equip India with advanced military hardware and niche technologies. Seizing this opportunity, India embarked on a military modernisation programme which heightened Pakistan's security concerns. Reportedly, India has also adopted a new strategy named ‘Pivot-to-North’
(P2N) to confront Pakistan and China simultaneously. However, the idea of India engaging in a two-front war against Pakistan and China is unrealistic as it would put India at a military disadvantage, a situation if would avoid to the utmost. While the threat of a combined China-Pakistan military effort exists theoretically, practical constraints make it highly unlikely. Accordingly, any response structured in the P2N scenario would be flawed, as it misrepresents the actual threat dynamics in the region.