INDIA must prepare for a “two-and-a-half-front war’ with China and Pakistan and tensions rage along the contested border known as the Line of Control while Xi Jinping flexes his military muscle in the area of Doklam, a retired lieutenant general from the Indian Army’s Special Forces has claimed

Mr Katoch stated the prospect of a war on multiple fronts is 'very much in the realm of reality'

Prakash Katoch stated the prospect of a war on multiple fronts is “very much in the realm of reality” as he discussed the significant tensions between New Delhi, Islamabad and the Asian superstate.

He stated: “Whether such conflicts will be confined or limited or whether these could expand into an all-out war along the entire front remains to be seen.

“But war is very much in the realm of reality, and India must be prepared to fight and can ill afford to let its guard down on either the Pakistani or the Chinese front.

“India must prepare for a two-and-a-half-front war.

“Its deployments must cover areas where it has traditionally maintained a low presence.

“It urgently needs to develop its border infrastructure, engaging multiple civil entities through the relevant army commanders, and not only through the Border Roads Organisation.

“It also needs to establish a comprehensive surveillance grid, and launch multiple small satellites by the Indian Space Research Organisation to monitor the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China on a 24/7 basis.

“This means it also needs to centralise its border control of the LAC and put in place systemic measures to control fault lines of its adversaries.

“This is the biggest strategic challenge the Indian government faces.”

Last year, Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat expressed his deep concern for a war on two fronts with China and Pakistan. He stated China had started to “flex its muscles” and had begun “taking over territory in a very gradual manner”.

General Rabat continued: “As far as our northern adversary is concerned flexing of muscles has started.

“Salami slicing, taking over territory in a very gradual manner, testing our limits of threshold is something we have to be wary of and remain prepared for such situations, which could gradually emerge into conflict.

“As far as our western adversary is concerned, we don’t see any scope of reconciliation, because the military, polity and people of that nation have been made to believe that their eastern adversary, which is India, is all out to break the nation into pieces.

“Therefore, the kind of propaganda that is prevailing on to our west, makes them believe that India is their long-term adversary and will continue to remain so.”

Mr Katoch explained that Pakistan’s “foreign and defence policies” could be influenced by China following reports Xi Jinping could be planning to add to the tension in the region of Jammu and Kashmir.

He went on: “20 rounds of talks on the India-China boundary have yielded little and there is a need to address questions of an escalation by Pakistan at China’s behest.

“This also raises questions about whether Pakistan’s foreign and defence policies are influenced by China.

“Has Pakistan become a de facto Chinese province with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and Belt and Road Initiative?

“Dispassionate analyses would conclude that this is a real possibility.

“Reports in the Chinese media threaten that the People’s Liberation Army could enter the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir and China could destabilise India’s northeast and separate it from India.

General Bipin Rawat expressed his deep concern for a war on two fronts with China and Pakistan

“In sum, China and Pakistan are one entity threatening India on multiple fronts.”

The former lieutenant discussed China’s “adept” skill for taking territory without resorting to “direct conflict”.

He remarked: “China is adept at nibbling territory, and going by the experience of the Doklam crisis, it never seeks direct conflict.

Mr Katoch explained that Pakistan’s 'foreign and defence policies' could be influenced by China

“It calls an area 'disputed,' and then occupies it by proclaiming it as Chinese territory.

“That is what China is likely to do with India, particularly its northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, which is called 'Southern Tibet' by China.

“If there is a confrontation by India, which would be natural, Beijing is likely to blame the escalation on New Delhi.”