THE GREAT ASIAN POWER GAME- A BRIEF ANALYSIS

As we enter the second half of the new century,  a new power game that will not only define the future of Asia-Pacific but the entire world is quietly been played out. The predominant players in this great game are Japan, China, India, The United States of America and Russia. A brief analysis of all the powers:

JAPAN

Japan has historically been one of the most powerful countries in Asia. After the devastating defeat in the second world war, it took Japan just 3 years to become a global power house. But with the strict curbs on military development, Japan followed a pacifist policy. But America nurtured Japan allowing her to develop a credible defense apparatus under the name of Self Defense. Japan now is slowly coming out of it's self imposed exile and building up it's defenses. With it's massive economy, Japan will be one of the main players of the emerging Asian security architecture.

CHINA

China has predominantly been an Asian super power. With the recent surge in it's economy, China will become the largest economy in Asia by the year 2020. With it's rapid economic development, China also is modernizing it's defense apparatus. China is expected to have a carrier task force with in the next 5 years. China also has an expanding space portfolio which includes manned space missions and Anti Basaltic Missile Defenses. 

INDIA

India is quickly emerging as an economic power house. With an expanding economy , India today has one of the most potent armies in Asia and expected to have one of the most powerful military by the year 2020 ( according to a CIA analysis). India also has an expanding space program which include a manned mission to space by 2015-16 and to moon there after probably by 2020. India is also expanding her armed forces and is expected to induct 5'th generation combat air crafts by the end of the decade. India will also have three Aircraft Carrier task forces by that time and also be inducting nuclear submarines completing the nuclear triad. India also has a vibrant missile development project which has seen the successful development of several types of missiles catering to different needs.

USA

The United States of America is the great equalizer in the security architecture in Asia. Widely believed to be a power in decline., America still wield enough power to be a game changer. At any given time, America has three Carrier task forces in Asia and will remain committed top Asia for at least the second half of this century. America has and maintains the capability to intervene in any conflict in Asia.

RUSSIA

Though after the disintegration of the USSR, Russia was considerably weekend and was out of the security picture for long. But with a robust economy, Russia is slowly making it's mark felt in the Asian security architecture. 

AN OVERVIEW

When one talks about Asia, one cannot ignore China. China will be the predominant power in Asia closely contested by India. The new power struggle will see China and India trying to expand each others influence through out the world. China has an early start in their quest to encircle India with their string of pearls strategy. That strategy implies building strategic relationships with countries that border India that includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Pakistan. China had been openly helping Pakistan in all the ways possible. India has failed to destroy this strategic link.

It is time for India to get our act together. India should cultivate closer relationships with countries including Vietnam  to contain China. India should support the development of credible and a strong defense establishment in all the countries in East Asia counter China. India ought to establish a strategic relationship with Japan and America to successfully counter China. India ought to make China understand that India is not the same power that it defeated in 1962. China had been trying all it could recently to play a big brother and threaten India. India ought to make China understand that it means business and will not tolerate such provocative steps.

The new strategic confluence is emerging in the world in which the powers of Asia namely China, India and Japan will play a crucial part. As the economic powers of both the countries increase, there will be a great jockey for precious economic resources by both China and India. What both countries need to keep in mind is that there should not be any escalation to an extent that a new cold war emerges. There can be a competitive rivalry but there ought to be checks beyond which the matters should not escalate.

It is time for India to embark on strategies that will secure us as one of the emerging powers of Asia. It is time to exert ourselves and make the world understand that we have arrived in the world stage. There is no time like now. Let India be the emerge as the most powerful country in the world. 

VANTE MATHRAM.