India’s Biggest Threat Isn’t Pakistan—It’s China’s Silent War on 10 Fronts
Let’s be real—for years, we’ve been obsessed with Pakistan. The border skirmishes, the Kashmir issue, the whole “enemy number one” narrative. But here’s the thing: while we’ve been busy staring west, China’s been playing 4D chess with us. And honestly? It’s working. When India’s Deputy Army Chief spilled the beans about Beijing backing Pakistan during Operation Sindhu, it wasn’t just some random intel drop. It was a wake-up call. China isn’t just a rival; it’s waging a full-spectrum war against India—on 10 different fronts. And we’re barely scratching the surface.
1. Pakistan? More Like China’s Pawn
Look, Pakistan’s always been the noisy neighbor—Kargil, LoC fireworks, the usual drama. But let’s face it: their economy’s a dumpster fire, and their military’s running on fumes. The real issue? China’s using them as a puppet. Think about it—during Operation Sindhu, Chinese trucks were literally fueling Pakistan’s ops. That’s not just “helping a friend.” That’s a coordinated move to keep us distracted while they go for the jugular.
2. China’s 10-Pronged Attack—And Why It’s Scary
2.1. Border Games (Galwan, Doklam, and the Salami Trick)
Remember Galwan? Twenty of our boys gone, just like that. Or Doklam, where they tried to sneak a road through like we wouldn’t notice. China’s got this sneaky “salami-slicing” playbook—tiny land grabs that add up until, boom, it’s suddenly “their” territory.
2.2. Economic Chokehold
Here’s the kicker: even after banning TikTok, we’re still hooked on Chinese imports. Phones, medicines, even Diwali lights—60% of it’s from China. And if they ever turn off the tap? Let’s just say it won’t be pretty.
2.3. The “Pearls” Around Our Neck
Gwadar in Pakistan. Hambantota in Sri Lanka. Djibouti in Africa. China’s building ports like it’s Monopoly, and we’re the ones getting bankrupted. If things go south, they could block our oil shipments overnight. Game over.
2.4. Cyber Sneak Attacks
That Mumbai blackout last year? Turns out Chinese malware was behind it. Hospitals, power grids—nothing’s off-limits. And the scary part? We’re still playing catch-up.
2.5. Funding Our Troubles
China keeps blocking UN sanctions against guys like Masood Azhar. Coincidence? Please. There’s also chatter about money flowing to Northeastern insurgents. Divide and rule—old trick, new players.
2.6. BRI: Debt Traps and Land Grabs
CPEC cuts through PoK like it’s no big deal. Meanwhile, Nepal and Sri Lanka are drowning in Chinese loans. Next thing you know, they’ll “lease” those ports for 99 years. Sound familiar?
2.7. Shutting Us Out Globally
UN Security Council seat? Vetoed. NSG entry? Blocked. Even during COVID, China made sure the WHO ignored our concerns. They’re not just competing—they’re rigging the game.
2.8. The 5G Spyware Problem
Huawei’s gear isn’t just cheap internet—it’s a backdoor for snooping. We’re pushing “Make in India,” but let’s be honest: we’re years behind on tech self-reliance.
2.9. Water Wars: The Brahmaputra Time Bomb
Those mega-dams China’s building upstream? They can literally turn off our water supply to the Northeast whenever they want. Farmers won’t know what hit them.
2.10. Fake News Factories
Chinese state media pumps out anti-India propaganda like it’s going out of style. Fake border clash videos, exaggerated “internal unrest” stories—it’s all about painting us as unstable.
3. Pakistan’s Not the Boss-Level Threat Anymore
Here’s the hard truth: Pakistan’s GDP is smaller than Maharashtra’s. Their F-16s are older than some of their pilots. China props them up with jets and UN vetos, but it’s just life support. The real fight? It’s with Beijing.
4. How India’s Fighting Back (Or Trying To)
We’re not totally defenseless, though. Some smart moves:
- Border Build-Up: That Sela Tunnel in Arunachal? A game-changer for moving troops fast.
- Manufacturing Push: PLI schemes are luring companies to make stuff here instead of importing from China.
- Quad Squad: Teaming up with US, Japan, Australia to counterbalance China’s muscle.
- Cyber Shields: Finally pouring money into hacking defense. About time.
5. Bottom Line
China’s not just flexing—they’re executing a century-long plan to dominate Asia. Pakistan’s just a sideshow now. If we keep treating this like some border dispute, we’ll wake up one day to a very different map. The Himalayas aren’t just mountains anymore; they’re the frontline.
Source: Navbharat Times – Default