The order came after the US raised the issue in several different forums, they said.The study will assess various war scenarios and provide options for India in case a conflict breaks out, they said.
Some Indian military commanders believe that strong statements may suffice as a response in case the war is short, but ultimately that will not be enough if the conflict drags on like Russiaâs war in Ukraine, the officials said.Indiaâs preparation for a potential war over Taiwan shows how its policy of âmulti-alignmentâ will be tested in the event of a drastic deterioration of US-China ties.
A more extreme scenario, they added, would assess the potential for India to get directly involved along their northern border, opening a new theater of war for China.While no deadline has been set to complete the study, the Indian military is under orders to finish it as soon as possible, one of the officials said.
The options prepared will be available for Modi and other political leaders to make a final call on any action should the need arise, the official said.The defense ministry and foreign ministry didnât respond to emailed questions.
The US state department didnât immediately respond to a request for comment.India and China have mobilized thousands of troops, artillery guns, tanks and missiles closer to the unmarked border running some 3,500 kilometers (2,200 miles), roughly the length of the US-Mexico boundary.
Diplomatic talks have yielded little, with China last month releasing a new map claiming Arunachal Pradesh that external affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar described as âabsurd.âIndia has publicly resisted efforts to make the Quad appear like a military alliance, and remains reliant on Russia â Chinaâs most important diplomatic partner â for weapons that would be used in any regional war.
Even so, it has quietly sought better relations with Taiwan: Three former Indian military chiefs who stepped down in the past year all visited Taiwan last month.Five years ago, India and the US signed a Logistics-Exchange Memorandum of Agreement, a foundational pact to allow refueling and replenishing of warships and aircraft, as well as access to bases when required. »
