-Caveat Lector- WJPBR Email News List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Peace at any cost is a Prelude to War! New Air Defenses For India Will Unnerve Beijing 1510 GMT, 010621 Summary Russia has offered to build an integrated air defense system for India that can defend against attacks by either aircraft or missiles. The system may shift the strategic balance in South Asia as Pakistan finds itself without strategic leverage against its powerful neighbor. But another consequence may be that relations between China and Russia degrade further. Analysis Officials from India and Russia met June 20 to discuss U.S. missile defense plans and security implications, the Press Trust of India reported. The meeting closely follows the announcement of Ilya Klebanov, the Russian deputy prime minister, that Moscow would build an integrated air defense system for New Delhi, one capable of countering missiles as well as aircraft. Ultimately, such a system could shift the strategic balance in South Asia and heighten tensions between China and Russia. The system would ostensibly serve as a buffer between India and Pakistan, but Beijing may view the system's anti-missile capabilities as directed against China. Moscow and New Delhi have steadily expanded military cooperation over the past year, signing several deals to produce and sell weapons systems in India and cooperate in the development of new military technology. Moscow's offer to build the integrated air defense system comes as Russia seeks to counter U.S. plans to abandon the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and to undermine any emerging military relationship between Washington and New Delhi. While Indian Foreign and Defense Minister Jaswant Singh was visiting Moscow June 6, Klebanov announced a package of military and technical cooperation between India and Russia, including the air defense system. Moscow's offer stems partly from New Delhi's initial warm reaction to U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage's presentation of Washington's missile defense plans, which Moscow opposes. Klebanov's announcement also came prior to the meeting between the U.S. and Russian presidents, where missile defense was a key topic. The current discussion extends conversations begun years ago. New Delhi initially spoke of importing Russian S-300 missiles in 1995 after Pakistan deployed Chinese M-11 missiles, according to FAS. The S-300, launched from portable land- or sea-based platforms, is capable of intercepting cruise missiles, tactical ballistic missiles and potentially even some strategic ballistic missiles. But the current proposal is a major step forward. Klebanov called the system "large and very complicated" and suggested it would provide air defense coverage for all of India. This strongly suggests the system integrates radar and other detection devices, command-and-control systems and weapons systems, which would alert Indian aircraft, anti-aircraft and surface-to-air missile batteries of potential threats. Whatever the system's final configuration, it could seriously impact the strategic balance in South Asia. Despite recently enhancing naval, air and ground forces, India remains vulnerable to Pakistani missile attacks. Pakistan has 15 to 25 nuclear weapons and at least 40 Chinese M-11 surface-to-surface missiles with a range of 300 kilometers. India has three times as many nuclear devices and twice as many missiles, but Pakistan's limited arsenal seriously threatens India's densely populated cities. By introducing the integrated system, India seriously reduces the viability of one of Pakistan's few remaining counterpoints to India's larger and better-equipped military. The effects are already visible as Pakistani Chief Executive Gen. Pervez Musharraf prepares for his mid-July visit to India, where he will seek to avert an arms race. Pakistan's economic crisis is taking a toll on its military budget, and the nation appears unable to keep matching India's increasing military expenditures. Further, unless Musharraf can get a handle on Pakistan's economy, he faces growing internal social unrest and challenges to his rule. But beyond Pakistan, India's new defense system would spur a strong reaction from China, which recently has sought to improve ties with India. Beijing showed concern that during Armitage's visit, New Delhi seemingly shifted from its stance, shared by Russia and China, of opposing Washington's plans for missile defenses. Beijing already has expressed frustration with New Delhi over a Defense Ministry report that said India must keep nuclear deterrents and develop new weapons to protect its major cities, which are within range of Chinese missiles. Click here for map of Chinese, Indian and Pakistani ballistic missile ranges. Beijing is concerned that India's new air defense system, while ostensibly directed only at Pakistan, also counters China. Despite warming relations, China and India remain strategic, economic and political rivals, and India's "Look East" policy, which envisions high-level engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is bringing Indian military and economic interests into China's claimed areas of influence, including the South China Sea. As India develops an air defense system capable of countering missiles, it will likely spur China to develop countermeasures. India's cooperation with Russia on defense may also strain relations between Russia and China, which have drifted apart since President Vladimir Putin took office. Beijing will grow increasingly concerned about Moscow's motives. *COPYRIGHT NOTICE** In accordance with Title 17 U. S. C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for nonprofit research and educational purposes only.[Ref. http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml ] Want to be on our lists? Write at [EMAIL PROTECTED] for a menu of our lists! <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
