Online published on 10 February, 2014.
The military build-up in the Asian region is perhaps the most massive accretion of arms since the end of the Cold War. History bears witness that more often than not excessive militarisation has led to an irreversible momentum for the outbreak of hostilities, often triggered by a minor incident, as nearly happened on India's border in early 2013. There is however potential to restore and maintain stability in the region by the coming together of likeminded countries that feel threatened by China's rapid rise. The key to this stability would be the perception of friendly East and Southeast Asian countries that India is in with them for the long haul.
