There is a misconception that coalition warfare is about joint ops.Warfare can be fought by other means like giving intel, operational support,, logistics, repair,fuel, support.India will be prepared to do that.Also support by increasing military pressure along chinese borders wiit india.Also harassment of Chinese Shipping by more agressive patrolling.Also escort of allied supply ships and taking care of war casualties.
Basically 'we will not be your cannon fodder' - the way we were in WW1 and 2 and still have gotten zero credit for by the Brits and Americans. Otherwise still happy to make Chinese suffer in case they decide to attack Taiwan while staying below the threshold that would provoke a direct attack on India - similar to the role many European powers are playing in the attack on Ukraine.
It is Port Blair in the Car Nicobar islands that is of enormous strategic value. Since "bases" is a base word, what it will provide is facilities for 'extended visits'. Not being on the Indian mainland, it is almost free of political and PR friction. As regards land an air forces, shipping these outside India in support of operation in and around Taiwan is super unrealistic. What India can do - and should do - is build up a threatening posture along the Indo-Tibetan border. This posture should be made realistic by countering Chinese border violations. This buildup will need US support for indigenous development and manufacture of weapon systems.
When we talk of niche capabilities and we look at Russia we immediately remember the World Class Brahmos. Imagine the level of trust we have with Russia with Brahmos. Shouldn't US work to create something similar with Bharat?
The whole two line summary of Ashley's and Arzan's papers and these podcasts: 1. Ashley wants to say "You American diplomats, don't start shouting on Twitter during war, why is India not in the Taiwan Strait with US and its allies". 2. Arzan wants to add" Yeah! And they don't need to because they are needed in the choke points, 'Malacca Strait' and something near 'The Booty' and India's military capabilities perfectly fit that role." These diplomats and their fancy words(I know why is it so). And I still listen!
We have seen talis article"reflection on the Modi visit" Earlier he talked about American bad bet on India. See there is dramatic difference between his both article.
Host and guest appear to find and highlight specific collaborating points for 2 countries where India still maintains an independent foreign policy district of US policy.
India as US strategic partner but not an ally can serve the US interests much better. Both US & Russia have grave threat from China & both have synergy of interests and India. Russia has come closer to China because of Western sanctions giving advantage to China of importing crude oil, Gas, commodities & minerals etc from Russia against exports of Chinese goods getting economic benefit as well as alternate oil route to Malacca Straits. However, China has cornered economically weakened Russia from all the three sides. It filtrated Russian backyard of Eurasian states with BRI, infiltrated Russian Far East, 900,000 sq km of which including Vladivostok has been historic part of China, with Chinese settlers creating soft invasion & undermined Russia from north with the Polar BRI declaring China a near Arctic state. China has strategically undermined US supremacy in IndoPacific by getting illegal Indian Ocean access by CPEC through territories of Kashmir & Baluchistan both illegally occupied by Pakistan. By illegally annexing Spratly Islands, China has got success in sitting over Malacca Strait choke point and by clandestinely increasing nuke & missile outreach of N. Korea to hit US mainland has quietly converted NoKo into successful Cuba of 1962. Increasing India’s military power with US help can pin down sizeable forces of Chinese Communist military along entire 3,488km long Indo-Tibetan border denting Communist military aims against the US allies & Russian Far East. India’s vast consumer market & skilled manpower can help US & the West accelerate decoupling from China undermining Chinese economic muscle which gives strength to Communist Army. India’s increased trade with Russia will reduce Russian exclusive dependence on China depriving it of formidable economic & strategic support. Indo-Russian trade through INSTC can reduce Chinese influence in Eurasia while Chennai-Vladivostok trade route through SCS can undermine Chinese sovereignty claims over SCS.
