How PM Modi's Strategic Moves Reshape Defence Alliances and Challenge Adversaries
Explore the implications of PM Modi's G7 visit and Cyprus stopover on global geopolitics. Explore India's expanding defence capabilities, its strategic alliances with countries such as Taiwan and Armenia, and the ongoing challenges posed by Pakistan, Turkey, and China in the evolving international landscape.
Turkey, Cyprus and Greece are close neighbours around the Mediterranean Sea
PM Modi's upcoming visit to the G7 in Canada and the stopover in Cyprus for refuelling carry significant geopolitical implications. The US government's reported invitation to Pakistan's army chief, Asim Munir, for a military parade later this week raises questions about Donald Trump's stance on India's concerns about Pakistan. This series of events prompts us to delve deeper into the dynamics of geopolitics and defence strategy.
When Operation Sindoor was happening, China, Turkey, and Azerbaijan stood with Pakistan. China was humiliated after American think tanks and American forums comprehensively proved by analysing and bringing data that China's export armament had utterly failed.
India is now confidently asserting its strength in the face of China. The fact that India is selling BrahMos to the Philippines and other countries is a clear indication of its growing defence capabilities. The ineffectiveness of China's radars and air defence systems against the BrahMos further solidifies India's position in the global defence arena.
China, Turkey and Azerbaijan together hatched a massive conspiracy against Rafale and tried to defame it, asserting, "We shot down Rafale, and the Chinese J10 2C has done wonders. Rafale was shot down with a PL-15 missile." Now, India has collected only 15 PL-15 missiles of J10, which fell down in India without hitting any target, and they did not self-destruct. India obtained all the P-15's self-destruct mechanisms, and the seeker, its most important part and the one responsible for targeting, which was also found to be completely safe.
Now, India is doing its own reverse engineering, and America, France, and Taiwan are also saying, "Give it to us."
Taiwan is also asking for India's Akash system. Taiwan is also seeking India's D4 system.
The D4 (Drone Detection Disruption Destruction) system, a product of India's technological prowess, demonstrated its effectiveness in Operation Sindoor. Its success has sparked international demand, with Taiwan expressing interest in purchasing this state-of-the-art anti-drone system from India to counter rising Chinese drone threats, instilling a sense of pride in our readers.
As far as Rafale is concerned, an expert from Dassault Aviation has disclosed the truth. And it has come to light that nothing happened to even a single Rafale. All the Rafales were safe at the base. And the exact opposite happened. Whatever P15 missiles they had fired, Rafale's spectra electronic warfare suit jammed all these P15s, and that is why India found 15 PL15s lying in the fields.
Now, PM Modi is taking forward the message of the Rafale. Greece confirmed its 24 Rafales purchase order after Operation Sindoor by talking to India.
The deal of 24 Rafales was being discussed earlier, and it was finalised after India's testimonial. Greece does not get along well with Turkey. Greece and Turkey are at odds over Cyprus. Turkey has grabbed a part of Cyprus.
That is why Modi, on his way to the G7, is staying in Cyprus. This is a direct challenge to Turkey. "Turkey, you have done a lot already; your entire drone market has been destroyed."
Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 drones played a crucial role in Azerbaijan's victory over Armenia, showcasing their effectiveness in a complex conflict. They became very famous when they successfully destroyed Armenia's armoured regiments and tank regiments in the Nagorno-Karabakh War.
Armenia had already started buying from India. It had relied on the Akash system from India. Now it has sought the extended range of Akash. It has ordered Pinaka. Along with this, it is now requesting that India provide it with Sukhois, drones, and anti-drone systems.
"Whatever you have, we want it." Armenia has said.
"So be it, take whatever you ask for." India responded, "and surround Azhar Baijan."
India used to buy some oil from Azerbaijan. India stopped that too.
Azerbaijan had no reason to intervene, but it entered the conflict between India and Pakistan forcefully. You can understand China and Turkey. Turkey had to sell its goods. Turkey was pleased because China's air defence system was found to be ineffective.
So Pakistan approached Turkey and said, "Give us your anti-air defence system."
America is naturally angry with this air defence system deal. "You are talking to everyone here and there, but not with us. Take the air defence system from us," said America to Pakistan.
Pakistan said, "Sir, will you give us a loan or will you give it for free?"
The answer came, "Nothing is available for free here. Give the money in cash and take it."
So Pakistan said, "Sir, we don't have any money, that is why we take it from China, because it gives us credit. It provides us with loans, offers us easy terms, and makes it more affordable, too. It definitely uses us as a training ground and trial ground, but it gives us all these things, so tell us, where should we go?"
America could only agree.
Pakistan added, "You are selling your F-35 for $ 80-90 million, and if you do the costing of your entire warfare suite, then the cost of one will be $200-300 million. We are not like India, which can spend $240 million on Rafale, including all the warfare suite. China is selling us the J-35 for $40 or $20 million. We will buy it."
Now, India is telling Greece to buy the Rafale as well, and along with the Rafale, it will also provide Greece with its air defence.
India's air defence has now become the world's number one, surpassing even the capabilities of Israel and the US. This significant achievement not only underscores India's growing influence in the global defence arena but also its commitment to enhancing its military capabilities.
India surrounds Turkey through Armenia, Greece and Cyprus. India has created a complete circle. Armenia, Greece, and Cyprus are all within India's sphere of influence. Additionally, India is set to supply them with armaments, air defence, and drones, highlighting India's strategic alliances and instilling confidence in our readers regarding India's diplomatic efforts.
India currently has only its own Tejas. Until it receives its entire supply of Tejas, it is unlikely that India will offer them to anyone else.
However, countries are also requesting the Tejas. The Tejas, with its advanced capabilities, could significantly impact countries like Armenia in their defence strategies. Until India receives its entire supply of Tejas, it is unlikely that India will offer them to anyone else, underscoring the strategic importance of this indigenous aircraft.
India Defence Strategy
Following the Cyprus tour, Prime Minister Modi's proactive strategy for Europe has been finalised. His upcoming attendance at the G7 summit and participation in face-to-face talks demonstrate India's commitment to strengthening its international relations and strategic alliances. These alliances and potential agreements not only strengthen India's diplomatic ties in Europe but also pave the way for enhanced economic and defence cooperation.
Italy is India's ally there. France is also India's ally. The UK wants a free trade agreement with India. Germany also has high expectations of India. They can not afford to lose relations with India.
Then, who is left? Japan. Japan, with its own strategic interests and regional influence, remains a key player in India's geopolitical strategy. Strengthening ties with Japan could further bolster India's position in the Asia-Pacific region.
India has many deals with Japan. India is in talks with Japan to collaborate on developing the IHI XF9-1 engine for its AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) program. Japan has offered to co-develop and locally produce the engine.
India is now left with Canada and the US.
Lockheed Martin, a US company, has issued a statement: "We have to make a bid for the engine of the AMCA. We have to join India's AMCA program because private industry has been involved in it, and we also have to get involved with it."
While pitching the F-21, Lockheed Martin wants to offer technical assistance to increase the production rate of the LCA. Lockheed Martin brought 26 Tier-I suppliers for the F-16/F-21 to its Indian Suppliers Conference at New Delhi recently to dialogue with 70 shortlisted Indian companies in the run up to the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) competition.
For India, Pakistan is an Enemy but not a Threat; China is an Enemy and a threat; the US is not an Enemy but is a threat. The whole geopolitical situation is described in these three lines. Not every enemy may be a threat, but every threat is an enemy. The US's newfound closeness with Pakistan may be due to the bitcoin business with "expendable" Pakistan. India must be realistic and not expect America to change its policies for India's sake.
Trump or no Trump, everybody wants a piece of the action in the Indian defence industry. And PM Modi is leveraging it completely, and you can clearly see that this Cyprus visit is a part of this leveraging and this strategy.
