US eyes Port Blair as new drone base

[OrionHunter]

I doubt India will agree to this.

It will! It's a win-win situation for both India and the US.

Imagine a couple of Predator/Reaper bases in the Andamans that can dominate the vulnerable straits of Malacca, the shortest route from the South China Sea to the Indian Ocean. This is a choke point that the Chinese are wary of as their entry into the Indian Ocean would become more vulnerable. The threat to try and dominate the Indian Ocean by the Chinese Navy through the Straits of Malacca would be considerably reduced.

I think India should welcome this proposal without batting an eye! All this talk that it may 'impinge on Indian sovereignty' is hogwash! We need to get real about the geostrategic realities and leave emotions aside.

 

[skysthelimit]

It will! It's a win-win situation for both India and the US.

How is this a "WIN" situation for India? We effectively get to become a US protectorate and get a bunch of Navy GIs roaming through Port Blair. It also paints a huge bulls eye on our bases.

If US wants to have overwatch on the Straits of Malacca, they are welcom to sell us Predators, Reapers, Sentinels and Global Hawks (CHEAP!). We will provide them the intelligence they want in return.

 

[Markus]

It will! It's a win-win situation for both India and the US.

Imagine a couple of Predator/Reaper bases in the Andamans that can dominate the vulnerable straits of Malacca, the shortest route from the South China Sea to the Indian Ocean. This is a choke point that the Chinese are wary of as their entry into the Indian Ocean would become more vulnerable. The threat to try and dominate the Indian Ocean by the Chinese Navy through the Straits of Malacca would be considerably reduced.

I think India should welcome this proposal without batting an eye! All this talk that it may 'impinge on Indian sovereignty' is hogwash! We need to get real about the geostrategic realities and leave emotions aside.

What you say is not incorrect.

BUT, allowing our areas to be used to attack another country can be seen as an act of war.

We must be ready for the consequences.

 

[anant_s]

Its just a proposed hypothesis, thats all. Besides it doesn't cost a cent to propose an idea, isn't it?

 

[OrionHunter]

What you say is not incorrect.

BUT, allowing our areas to be used to attack another country can be seen as an act of war.

We must be ready for the consequences.

No one is attacking anyone! This is part of strategic deterrence. This is the game of domination of the Seas especially the Indian Ocean. India needs to keep the Indian Ocean within its sphere of influence. The Chinese are aiming to do just that by trying to create a 'string of pearls' by establishing its bases stretching from Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Sudan to envelop India.

The great power game has already started in the Indian Ocean.

“The Indian Ocean area will be the true nexus of world powers and conflict in the coming years. It is here that the fight for democracy, energy independence and religious freedom will be lost or won.”
(Robert D. Kaplan)

 

[sexy gun]

Erm.. excuse me Sire, when did China allow US bases on their soil ? If the 2nd WW anti-Japanese bombing sorties you are talking of, then perhaps yes but most of these happened from East India regions. After WW-2 there has been no US bases on Chinese soil.

It would be best if you could do a bit of study on this topic . Korea / Japan, yes . China NEVER !

Taiwan has thousands of US troops stationed on it !!

 

[Markus]

No one is attacking anyone! This is part of strategic deterrence. This is the game of domination of the Seas especially the Indian Ocean. India's need to keep the Indian Ocean within its sphere of influence. The Chinese are aiming to do just that by trying to establish a 'string of pearls' by establishing its bases stretching from Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Sudan to envelop India.

The great power game has already started in the Indian Ocean.

“The Indian Ocean area will be the true nexus of world powers and conflict in the coming years. It is here that the fight for democracy, energy independence and religious freedom will be lost or won.”
(Robert D. Kaplan)

I agree with you.

But there are lot of Indians (many on this thread too!) who are averse to any foreign presence on Indian soil.

The govt. too will be divided if such a proposal comes to us from US.

 

[faithfulguy]

It will! It's a win-win situation for both India and the US.

Imagine a couple of Predator/Reaper bases in the Andamans that can dominate the vulnerable straits of Malacca, the shortest route from the South China Sea to the Indian Ocean. This is a choke point that the Chinese are wary of as their entry into the Indian Ocean would become more vulnerable. The threat to try and dominate the Indian Ocean by the Chinese Navy through the Straits of Malacca would be considerably reduced.

I think India should welcome this proposal without batting an eye! All this talk that it may 'impinge on Indian sovereignty' is hogwash! We need to get real about the geostrategic realities and leave emotions aside.

Thank you ,thank you, thank you. If all Indians think with logic and clarity like you instead of unrealistic pride, India won't be a basket case that it is today. As matter of fact, India would be on its way to surpass the US in GDP.

How is this a "WIN" situation for India? We effectively get to become a US protectorate and get a bunch of Navy GIs roaming through Port Blair. It also paints a huge bulls eye on our bases.

If US wants to have overwatch on the Straits of Malacca, they are welcom to sell us Predators, Reapers, Sentinels and Global Hawks (CHEAP!). We will provide them the intelligence they want in return.

Nope, US will need control of these assets. India can purchase them but US must be in control of them.

 

[Alfa-Fighter]

I agree with you.

But there are lot of Indians (many on this thread too!) who are averse to any foreign presence on Indian soil.

The govt. too will be divided if such a proposal comes to us from US.

India dont need US bases, IF US so interested it should provide equipment to India and in Return India will share intelligence.

Andaman is already have tri star service and in future will station Su-30 Sq. Therefore US will have not presence in that area.

 

[faithfulguy]

What you say is not incorrect.

BUT, allowing our areas to be used to attack another country can be seen as an act of war.

We must be ready for the consequences.

If US protects India, no one would touch India.

No one is attacking anyone! This is part of strategic deterrence. This is the game of domination of the Seas especially the Indian Ocean. India needs to keep the Indian Ocean within its sphere of influence. The Chinese are aiming to do just that by trying to create a 'string of pearls' by establishing its bases stretching from Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Sudan to envelop India.

The great power game has already started in the Indian Ocean.

“The Indian Ocean area will be the true nexus of world powers and conflict in the coming years. It is here that the fight for democracy, energy independence and religious freedom will be lost or won.”
(Robert D. Kaplan)

I read the book by Kaplan, Monsoon. Its a great book and Indians should read that book.

 

[OrionHunter]

I agree with you.

But there are lot of Indians (many on this thread too!) who are averse to any foreign presence on Indian soil.

The govt. too will be divided if such a proposal comes to us from US.

And why should we be averse to such foreign presence? It's not as if we are surrendering the Islands to the U.S. After all, there are more than 80 US bases across the world including Japan. Have these countries given up their sovereignty to the US of A?? Nope! This is all emotional balderdash!

Let's get off our sentimental high horse and face reality.

In addition, one of the spin offs would be the millions of dollars that we would get in return which could be used for infrastructure development of the Andamans.

 

[faithfulguy]

Taiwan has thousands of US troops stationed on it !!

No, Taiwan had thousand of US troops prior to late 70s.

 

[Dash]

We kissed NAM policy goodbye in 1962 itself, when we ran to US with a bowl in hand.

Not we, it was that idiot, dont blame a nation and its policy makers for the action of one asshole..

 

[faithfulguy]

And why should we be averse to such foreign presence? It's not as if we are surrendering the Islands to the U.S. After all, there are more than 80 US bases across the world including Japan. Have these countries given up their sovereignty to the US of A?? Nope! This is all emotional balderdash!

Let's get off our sentimental high horse and face reality.

In addition, one of the spin offs would be the millions of dollars that we would get in return which could be used for infrastructure development of the Andamans.

Also, this would be a minor presence. US is not setting up an air wing or anchoring a carrier task force there. US presence there would be hardly noticed by locals.

 

[Markus]

If US protects India, no one would touch India.

We dont need US protection as of now.