A build-up for the future

William H. Avery

Amaryllis
Edition: Hardcover
ISBN: 978-93-81506-07-3
Pages: 244
Price: Rs.595/-

Of late, many writers have delved into the strained Sino-Indian relations. The discourse has mostly dealt with the possible scenarios where the competition between the two developing nations boil over to a point that it leads to bitter and open rivalry. Some even went on to predict future wars, making onewonder if these prognostications of an India-China face-off were grounded in reality or it was a Western ploy to get the neighbours fighting and further their (Western nations’) own ends in the ensuing arms race.

At first sight, William H Avery’s book seems to pick up this oft repeated thread and the first few chapters seem to insinuate the same. However, with successive pages the book explores the various elements of the country and how these factors may come together in making India not only China’s rival but a strong international power

Overseas Talk "India is the single-most important defence partner for US"

William H. Avery, who served in the US diplomatic service as an Economic Officer, is a master at trade development and commercial advocacy, and is a three-time recipient of the US State Department's Meritorious Honour Award. A prolific writer on international affairs, Avery tells Mayank Singh how India needs to start thinking beyond just Pakistan and China and take interest in building a strong military base in the Asian region. India has the potential, he says!

B&E: Asia is constantly represented on the international fora and its position is factored-in by different countries in their policy making. Your assessment?
William H. Avery (WAH): All the action is in this part of the World. We are seeing a shift of economic activity, which will be followed by military activity and military strength from the trans-Atlantic to the Pacific region, including China and India and all the regions that fall in-between. With regard to the subcontinent, principally, India and China are the places that are going to be significant. US also because it is a continent with 300 million people. So I think a new structure is emerging where there are three potential centres of power – US, India and China.