Where Are Our Qiaos & Wangs?

News:  Former Indian foreign secretary and China expert Vijay Gokhale,  in his recent book on Tiananmen, made the observation on military power and intellectual power. He mentioned it is the intellectual power that Beijing is most afraid of as a challenge.

In this regard, the author of the article advocates scaling up strategic thinking capabilities in India among the senior strategic and military leadership.

Why does India need to develop strategic thinking capabilities?

Afghanistan and Ukraine have presented significant challenges for India’s strategic leaders.

Now, India’s strategic planners need to analyze the impacts of Russia’s steps in Ukraine on China’s strategies

How did China develop its strategic capabilities?

Two PLA colonels, Qiao Liang and Wang Xiangsui, published a book Unrestricted Warfare: China’s Master Plan to Destroy America in the open domain in 1999. It formed the basis of China’s evolving Grey Zone and Hybrid Warfare tactics.

It led to the development of an intellectual community within the Autocratic CCP. They absorb ideas from around the world and adapt them to suit Chinese characteristics and requirements. Further, China’s Academy of Military Sciences cooperates with civilian think tanks such as the Academy of Social Sciences to create the template of Comprehensive National Power.

Examples of using strategic capabilities in India

One such example from India was the work of General Sundarji and K Subrahmanyam, who wrote about the likely path of nuclear deterrence. It was adopted well before India’s nuclear arsenal was operationalized. That was a fine demonstration of India’s strategic community working in unison towards a ‘big’ strategic outcome.

Which strategy should India adopt?

India should give greater intellectual depth to our strategic and military thinking. It should devote more time thinking about the problems of the future, rather than expending energy running present agendas. India should embrace the knowledge and attempt to continuously reinvent itself with confidence, curiosity, and humility by challenging subordinates to come up with better ideas.

Source: This post is based on the article “Where Are Our Qiaos & Wangs? ” published in the Times of India  on 2nd March 2022.