DRAGON ON OUR DOORSTEP

 

DRAGON ON OUR DOORSTEP 

Managing China through military Power

About the Authors

Pravin Sawhney is one of India's most respected defence and strategic affairs analysts. A former officer of the Indian Army, he has spent decades studying military doctrine, defence preparedness, national security, and India–China relations. He is the founding editor of Force magazine and is known for his independent analysis of military affairs, border disputes, and emerging security challenges. His work combines operational military understanding with strategic and geopolitical analysis.

Ghazala Wahab is an accomplished journalist, editor, and defence commentator. As Editor of Force magazine, she has written extensively on internal security, terrorism, military affairs, and India's strategic environment. Her reporting is grounded in extensive fieldwork and interviews, enabling her to present complex security issues in a clear and accessible manner.

Together, the authors bring a rare combination of military experience, policy analysis, and investigative journalism, making this book both authoritative and engaging.

Publication Details

• Title: Dragon on Our Doorstep: Managing China through Military Power

• Authors: Pravin Sawhney and Ghazala Wahab

• Publisher: Rupa Publications India

• First Published: 2017

• Format: Hardcover and Paperback

• Pages: Approximately 320 pages

• Genre: Defence Studies, India–China Relations, Military Strategy, National Security

What the Book is About

Dragon on Our Doorstep is a compelling examination of one of India's most significant strategic challenges—the rise of China and its implications for India's national security. Rather than viewing the India–China relationship solely through the lens of diplomacy or economics, the book argues that military preparedness remains the foundation upon which stable relations must be built.

The authors contend that China has steadily expanded its military, technological, and strategic influence while India has often underestimated the pace and nature of this transformation. Through detailed analysis, they argue that India must move beyond reactive responses and develop a coherent long-term military strategy capable of deterring aggression and safeguarding national interests.

The book does not advocate confrontation. Instead, it emphasizes that credible military capability is essential for meaningful diplomacy. In the authors' view, peace is best preserved when backed by preparedness, strategic clarity, and an accurate understanding of the changing balance of power in Asia.

Drawing upon military assessments, defence planning, historical experience, and geopolitical developments, the book presents a realistic picture of India's security environment while encouraging readers to think critically about the future of Asian strategic competition.

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What the Book Covers

The Evolution of China as a Military Power:
The book traces China's remarkable military modernization, examining how sustained investments in technology, infrastructure, logistics, and joint operations have transformed the People's Liberation Army into one of the world's most capable armed forces.

The India–China Border Dispute:
The authors provide a detailed assessment of the unresolved boundary dispute, explaining how differing perceptions of the Line of Actual Control continue to create military tensions and strategic uncertainty.

Military Balance Between India and China:
A central theme of the book is the comparison of the two countries' military capabilities. It evaluates force structures, infrastructure development, logistics, air power, missile capabilities, and operational readiness, highlighting areas where India must strengthen its preparedness.

China's Strategic Thinking:
The book explores China's long-term strategic objectives, military doctrine, and regional ambitions, helping readers understand how Beijing integrates diplomacy, economic influence, and military power into a comprehensive national strategy.

India's Defence Preparedness:
The authors critically examine India's defence planning, procurement systems, border infrastructure, and institutional decision-making. They identify structural weaknesses while suggesting reforms needed to improve military effectiveness.

The Role of Technology in Modern Warfare:
Recognising that future conflicts will extend beyond conventional battlefields, the book discusses cyber capabilities, information warfare, precision weapons, surveillance systems, and emerging military technologies.

Military Power and Diplomacy:
One of the book's key arguments is that diplomacy and military strength are complementary rather than contradictory. Effective negotiations, the authors argue, require credible deterrence and sustained strategic capability.

Why This Book Matters

Dragon on Our Doorstep remains relevant because it encourages readers to look beyond headlines and understand the deeper strategic dynamics shaping India–China relations. It reminds us that border tensions are not isolated incidents but part of a much larger contest involving military capability, technological competition, infrastructure, and geopolitical influence. The book is particularly valuable because it presents military power not as an instrument of war alone, but as a means of preserving stability and preventing conflict. By explaining the relationship between preparedness and diplomacy, the authors challenge simplistic assumptions about national security and encourage a more balanced understanding of strategic statecraft.

For students of international relations, defence studies, and strategic affairs, the book offers an accessible introduction to India's military challenges vis-à-vis China while remaining grounded in operational realities. Policymakers, researchers, and practitioners will appreciate its detailed analysis of defence planning and strategic decision-making.

Even for general readers, the book succeeds in making a highly complex subject understandable. It explains why developments along the Himalayan frontier, investments in military infrastructure, and technological advancements have far-reaching consequences for India's future security. 

Dragon on Our Doorstep is more than a study of China. It is a thoughtful reflection on what it takes for India to secure its borders, strengthen its strategic posture, and prepare for an increasingly uncertain Asian century.

   

Seema Sanghosh English: July 2026