India Introduces Nuclear Naval Submarines as Tensions with China Persist
Depiction of a lake situated at the China-India border in Ladakh, technically a territory in India. Part of Ladakh is ethnically Tibetan, tying the region to China as well. AP Photo/Channi Arand
On August 29th, India unveiled a new missile submarine with possible nuclear capabilities in an effort to compete and assert power against China in light of their ongoing dispute. CNN reports that this comes as a response to China’s wielding of the world’s largest naval force, with submarines that “carry a dozen ballistic missiles with ranges of at least 8,000 kilometers.”
The India-China dispute is rooted in the Line of Actual Control, a de facto border between the two countries located around Nepal. In December 2022, the Galwan Valley battle ensued at the border, triggering fatalities on both sides despite active military talks, as summarized by BBC. It is cited as one of many altercations between the countries that has accelerated a nuclear arms race, appearing as a pseudo-Cold War similar to the likes of the United States and Soviet Union.
However the threat of naval nuclear war is less severe in light of both countries’ dependency on one another for trade. An actualized war between China and India entails large economic repercussions for both parties, as their primary sources of trade would be halted. Therefore, over the years China has relied heavily on scare-tactics as opposed to tangible attacks. In the last few years Chinese naval forces have positioned themselves in Cambodia, Myanmar, and the Maldives, attempting to encircle India. In addition, China has made efforts to supply India’s political and economic adversaries. For instance, Pakistan’s military capacity has strengthened over the years through increased aid received through China’s supply of naval and airforce ammunition. China’s allyship with Pakistan can pose further threats to India, forcing the Indian military to exert further military resources and make greater efforts to protect itself.
China’s aim is to be the dominant power in Asia, rejecting this idea of a "multipolar Asia.” These motives can be seen through the World Economic Forum’s analysis of China’s advancement on every front. China is deemed as one of the “biggest drivers of global growth for years” and is predicted to “contribute over one-quarter of global growth in 2024.” However, according to Professor Ning Leng, an assistant professor at McCourt School of Public Policy, China’s economy has reached a stagnant point. Their real estate market is on the decline, consequently causing overcapacity and unemployment in related fields like steel and PVC, eventually impacting international trade. With the loss of momentum in China’s economy and trade, Professor Leng predicts that China will be more cautious in their decision making, giving India a greater opportunity to gain some power in this ongoing dispute with its new militia.
Chinese Defense Minister and Indian Defense Minister shake hands after discussing tensions regarding territory in the South China Sea. They are set to discuss a resolution for the Himalayan border dispute as well. AP Photo/Manish Swarup
India has designed their new missile submarines to have “ranges up to 6,000 kilometers (3,728 miles) enabling strikes anywhere in China” (CNN). This weapon is considered just a starting point for India to gain increased power against China, considering their current economic shortcomings. Amongst other nuclear powerhouses aside from China, Indian authorities feel the pressure of the encircling presence of enemy militia from countries such as Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. To strengthen their defense, Indian military forces need to reach or surpass the levels of production from leading nuclear manufacturing countries, especially considering China’s lead amongst even those countries.
The parallels between the Cold War and this modern claim for land can signal that this conflict has the potential to affect the global trade system resulting in significant economic shifts. Various predictions exist concerning the outcome of this dispute. The evidence of long-term conflict between the two countries gives reason to believe that India will continue to expand their naval militia to compete with China.