Can India Deal With a Three-Front War?

As India navigates rising geopolitical tensions, the spectre of a three-front war looms larger than ever. The Indian Army’s precision strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7, dubbed ‘Operation Sindoor’ have pushed bilateral relations to a new low. The operation, seen as retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22, has fuelled fears of coordinated threats along India’s western and northern borders, particularly given Pakistan’s strengthening ties with China.

India’s eastern frontier has also come under scrutiny following recent remarks by former Bangladeshi Major General (Retired) ALM Fazlur Rahman, known to be a close associate of Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus. Stirring controversy last week, the ex-army general suggested that Bangladesh could seek to occupy India’s north-east, already a territory that China contests, by teaming up with Beijing, if New Delhi were to initiate military action against Pakistan. His comments have added a fresh layer of tension to an already complex and volatile regional landscape.

Also Read: Will 'India-China Bhai Bhai' Nostalgia Save Business Realities?

While military analysts agree that India is well-equipped to manage a conflict with Pakistan, a potential confrontation with China and Bangladesh would require diplomacy to play a pivotal role. Former Chief of Army Staff, General (Retired) M M Naravane, in an opinion piece on digital news platform The Print, has cautioned against “false bravado” in considering simultaneous wars. Instead, Naravane emphasised the importance of harnessing all instruments of national power—diplomacy, information, military and economy (DIME)—to tackle the scenario of a three-front war. “At the diplomatic level, treaties and alliances will play a major role in conflict prevention and if conflicts arise, in keeping one of the opponents at bay,” Naravane added.

Diplomacy to the Rescue

India’s historical encounters underscore the importance of diplomacy in avoiding the outbreak of war on more than one front simultaneously. With geopolitical relations with its neighbours worsening, India currently finds itself under threat of attack from not one, but three fronts. However, this is not the first time the country has stood at such a crossroads.

Similar threats loomed during the Indo-Pak War of 1965 and the Liberation of Bangladesh in 1971, when India’s diplomatic prowess helped it avoid direct conflict with China and the US, respectively.

Amid veiled threats from China during the 1965 war with Pakistan, India took a measured strategy, choosing not to provoke Beijing while focusing its attention on the western front. Memories of the 1962 Indo-Sino conflict were still fresh and concerns were ripe that even a minor transgression along the Chinese border could trigger a hostile response.

Striking a delicate balance, India bolstered its diplomatic efforts to avoid opening another front while already engaged in a demanding battle on the west. The Soviet Union stepped in to mediate the Tashkent Agreement, resulting in a ceasefire and de-escalation of tensions. Additionally, by choosing to steer clear of taking sides during the Cold War through its non-alignment policy, India also avoided antagonising the superpowers.

By 1971, the stakes were even higher. As India supported the liberation of erstwhile East Pakistan, it faced the risk of a broader conflict, especially with the US backing Pakistan. The US had dispatched its nuclear-powered aircraft, the USS Enterprise, to the Bay of Bengal in a move intended to intimidate India in its war against Pakistani forces.

Also Read: What Is Operation Sindoor? Behind the Name of India’s Retaliatory Strikes After Pahalgam Attack

India, however, pre-empted the threat by signing the Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation in August 1971, allowing for the deployment of the Soviet Pacific Fleet that helped neutralise the threat. That moment is etched in India’s history as a masterstroke of diplomatic brilliance. Similar moves may be required again if the threat of a three-front war materialises.

Handling a Three-Front Crisis

While talking about a three-front war is far easier than fighting one, military experts have showcased confidence in India’s preparedness to handle such situations. In an interview with media platform ETGovernment last year, Principal Adviser to the Ministry of Defence, Lieutenant General Vinod G Khandare, said the armed forces are always prepared to fight wars on several fronts.

“We want democracy and peace but if war is waged on us, we have the strength to counter any number of adversaries,” he said. Khandare also acknowledged the possibility of Pakistan and China teaming up to wage war against India, noting that close relations between the two countries has always been evident and are likely to get stronger.

In line with changing needs, the army has repositioned troops across India’s northern borders. In March, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwiedi met with the Strike One Corps to assess their preparedness for anticipated threats, at a time when regional tensions are on the rise.

Strike One Corps remains among the Indian Army’s most powerful offensive formations, trained for fast-paced, high-intensity operations. Unlike defensive units, Strike Corps, equipped with armoured divisions, mechanised infantry and long-range firepower, are built to move swiftly and seize ground. Addressing growing regional tensions, the unit was moved from the South-Western to the Northern Command in 2021 amid rising tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.

Nonetheless, defence experts believe a three-front war would differ significantly from traditional warfare. In an article for news magazine The Week, former Defence Secretary Radha Krishna Mathur stated that modern conflict now spans land, air, sea, space and cyber domains. While India may be well-positioned to counter Pakistan militarily, Mathur emphasised that China poses a more complex challenge.

With superior logistics, troops and weaponry, China maintains dominance, often in coordination with Pakistan, Mathur noted, while also commending India’s resilience in tackling tussles with Beijing’s forces.

Looking ahead to the possibility of a full-blown multi-front war, Mathur sees the need for a Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) approach as critical to navigating such a crisis.

He highlighted India’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its cyber capabilities, integrate AI into military strategy and enhance situational awareness through drone imagery and advanced analytics.

While the prospect of a simultaneous three-front war remains remote for the time being, experts agree that readiness must be built well in advance, true to the military adage, “The enemy is always expected to do the unexpected.”