Missile Test
“India Missile Test Raises Bar for Rival” (April 12) left out the reason why India is trying to develop a nuclear deterrent. Over time immemorial India was invaded by outside forces and suffered from many centuries of colonial rule. It was the prime concern of the leaders of free India to develop a military that could withstand foreign aggression. China’s invasion of 1962 caught India unprepared.
India currently finds itself encircled by a powerful China and its allies in Pakistan and Myanmar. It has fought three wars with Pakistan, which is supplied with sophisticated military technology by China. This leaves India no option but to develop a minimum nuclear deterrent that would prevent foreign aggression. It is hard to fault India for trying to develop such a deterrent when Western powers have failed to restrain China’s growing nuclear capability. Having democratic India as a deterrent to a superpower China is in the Western world’s best interest.
DIPAK SARKAR
Cypress
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
