China's shadow on India’s defence budget
Lasting peace in Asia can occur only when Beijing accepts that a hostile India can thwart its global ambition
Updated At : 06:55 AM Jul 02, 2026 IST
India's defence debate is correctly framed through the lens of two adversaries - Pakistan and China. But a closer examination reveals that Pakistan, with a GDP smaller than that of Tamil Nadu, is a military challenge only as a proxy within a much broader geopolitical competition driven by China's rise. If that assessment is correct, India's defence spending should be evaluated not simply against threats on its borders, but against the wider objective of safeguarding the country's economic lifelines and long-term strategic interests.
