According to analysis by Business Standard, India has been caught by surprise in multiple strategic situations, including the Iran war and its adverse economic effects. The article notes that similar surprises occurred after independence, such as the Kashmir invasion, 1962 Chinese invasion of Arunachal Pradesh, Pakistan's 1965 armoured thrust, and the 1999 Kargil conflict. The analysis suggests that while India's military success in 1971 broke the cycle of surprises, subsequent developments including AQ Khan's nuclear revelations in 1988 and the 2005 Civil Nuclear Agreement opened strategic relationships with the US.
As reported by Business Standard, China has achieved controlling interest in 129 ports worldwide across approximately 65 countries, including the Panama Canal operations through Hutchison Whampoa. The analysis reveals that China is the number one trading partner of 120 countries, with 77% of trade flows moving westwards from China to Eurasia. China's global rise takes a different route from US dominance, relying on economic dependence, infrastructure influence, market access, and strategic supply chain dominance, while the US maintains global theatre commands across Indo-Pacific, Central Command, Europe, Africa, and Americas.
According to the analysis, during Operation Sindoor, Chinese technicians were physically present to prepare Chinese J-10 aircraft for combat sorties, with the fusion of Swedish Saab Erieye airborne early warning aircraft with Chinese combat aircraft engineered by Chinese scientists. The report indicates that Chinese Beidou satellites were integrated into Pakistani battlefield systems, and China altered Yaogan constellation orbits to provide Pakistan with real-time imaging of Indian targets. Since the operation, China has offered Pakistan the 5th generation J-35 stealth fighter, KI-500 AEW aircraft, and HQ-19 ballistic missile defence system.
As reported by Business Standard, the Iran war caused significant damage to India's economy, prosperity, finance, energy security, raised current account deficit, inflation, and crashed the rupee. The analysis notes that this conflict occurred far outside India's territorial boundaries, contradicting the accumulated wisdom that the Indian military's primary function is to win border wars arising from territory disputes. During the war, Chinese purchases of Iranian oil increased through shadow trading, while Iran acquired the Chinese TEE-01B Earth observation satellite for submeter resolution imagery capabilities.
According to recent analysis, China's export growth continues to significantly outperform global trade, with China's exports growing by 9-10% in volume terms while global trade grew by only 4-5% last year. China's overall trade surplus in goods has reached ₹1.2 trillion, representing a substantial increase from previous levels. The analysis reveals that China's accumulation of foreign assets has effectively limited appreciation of the renminbi and prevented correction in yuan depreciation, with the yuan down 15% in real terms over the past three to four years. This economic strength has enabled China to finance strategic infrastructure projects globally and maintain its position as the world's biggest manufacturing exporter.
