Pakistan, China are distractions. India must focus on economy

India’s path to global leadership requires focus, not geopolitical detours

India today stands at a decisive crossroads. With the right strategic focus, it can rise as a top-tier global economic and technological power.

But to get there, it must resist being pulled into distractions, especially those deliberately engineered by China, in the form of Pakistan and Bangladesh.

China’s Game: Using proxies to distract

China, unlike its image of aggression, rarely engages in direct wars. It knows war derails economic growth.

Instead, it uses Pakistan, and now Bangladesh, as tools to provoke and distract India.

The aim is simple: slow down India’s rise by forcing it to divert resources and attention to defence.

India saw through the game and refused to play it. That decision deprived China of its intended outcome.

After India’s swift and decisive Operation Sindoor, which exposed the vulnerability of Chinese-supplied Pakistani air defence systems and equipment, China has likely realized that India is not a pushover.

In fact, the distraction by Pakistan in the form of Pahalgam has only helped India successfully test its air defence and offence capabilities vis-à-vis the Chinese, Turkish, and even the US-supplied air defence and offence systems of Pakistan.

Now India is far more confident militarily than before the Pakistani terror attack. And the world is also more interested in buying these Indian systems and equipments, and less interested in Chinese and even the US equivalents (which are costly anyway).

Contrary to some old assumptions, China cannot win a war against India. Military science says an aggressor needs a 3:1 superiority to win, which China doesn’t have.

Worse for Beijing, since India’s homegrown defence systems have outperformed Chinese and Turkish weapons in real combat. India’s border infrastructure, air defence, and missile capabilities now present a credible deterrent.

Expect China to continue provocations, both directly and via proxies, but war is off the table.

Pakistan & Bangladesh: Not threats, mere distractions

Pakistan, bloodied in skirmishes with devastating consequences, knows it cannot sustain a military conflict.

It may still attempt terror attacks. India must stay this course:

• Prioritize deterrence over escalation
• Invest in rapid-response capabilities, not prolonged readiness
• Focus on becoming a $10 trillion economy by 2032
• Treat provocations as distractions, not defining events

There’s a saying: “Don’t wrestle with pigs. You’ll get dirty, and the pigs like it.”

Every time Pakistan strikes, it is a cry for relevance. Every time India outsmarts it decisively without allowing it to become a prolonged skirmish or war, that relevance fades.

Bangladesh, much weaker than Pakistan, plays nuisance politics and aligns with anti-India narratives. But it is no strategic or military threat.

Turkey, a distant player, is irrelevant militarily; its weapons failed the test in real battle scenarios.

Not to gloat over Operation Sindoor

India’s recent handling of Pakistan is a textbook example of strategic maturity.

India responded swiftly and decisively to the Pahalgam terror attack. Pakistani drone strikes and terror launchpads were neutralized, and significant damage was inflicted on Pakistani air and military infrastructure.

Yet, crucially, India stopped there. It didn’t get drawn into a protracted war. It didn’t allow Pakistan to script the next chapters.

We should also be objective; India’s successes do not indicate India’s overall military superiority over China or the US.

Strategic maturity lies in silent confidence, not loud celebrations.

Friends, but not all-weather

As India rises, now the world’s fourth-largest economy, it’s increasingly becoming an eyesore for some traditional power centres, including the US and, to an extent, even Russia.

Let’s be realistic. Each country is ultimately for itself. We may have partners, but no permanent friends.

Russia, for example, is balancing its ties with China and may not always side with India. The US may assist selectively, but it is tough to negotiate with and often transactional.

We must be prepared to walk alone, with occasional support, not dependency.

Operation Sindoor: Strategic recognition

That said, Operation Sindhoor has created tangible gains:

• India’s stealth, strike, and surveillance capabilities are now acknowledged.
• Indian systems outshone Chinese and Turkish weapons.
• Global attention has turned toward India’s defence manufacturing and export potential.
• India is seen as a credible “China plus one” option in manufacturing.

India’s strategic depth just got wider, but the real game is still economic.

The real challenge: Jobs, automation & global headwinds

While border threats have been neutralized for now, India faces domestic and global economic challenges:

• Job losses due to AI, automation, and de-globalization trends.
• Tariff wars and protectionism creating uncertainty for exports.
• Global slowdown risks hurting demand and capital flows.

Despite all this, India is doing better than most economies. But “better” is not good enough for a country with a billion-plus aspirations.

Conclusion: Stay the course, ignore the noise

India’s enemies would love for it to be reactive, distracted, and emotionally trapped in neighbourhood battles. The real battle, however, is internal, about jobs, innovation, skilling, and inclusive growth.

We don’t need to prove anything to China, Pakistan, or the West.

We need to prove something to ourselves. That we can build, grow, and lead without getting distracted.

Let them provoke. We should progress.

Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.

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