The prospects of a renewed Sino-Indian cold war surafced recently when Indian leaders and media seriously reacted to an article from a Chinese think-tank researcher, Zhan Loa, who suggested the disintegration of India. The fact of the matter is that it is only the personal opinion of a Chinese think-tank. But the Indian government has taken it as coming from Beijing. In this respect, on August 11, India Today quoted Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta: "China is likely to be more assertive on its claims, especially on its immediate neighbours...matching division should be changed to technological advancement on the Indian military side. We should reduce the Chinese footprints on the Indian Ocean." Furthermore while criticising the article, former officer of RAW R S N Singh remarked: "This kind of a report never comes without state approval. But India is fully prepared, if the Chinese think of any misadventure, they will be in for a shock." In fact, it is India, which has wide ranging agreements with Beijing, that has shown a lethargic approach towards the solution of the border dispute while apparently emphasises mutual cooperation. In reality, India has been playing a double game with China as part of its secret diplomacy. It is mentionable that on March 10, 2008 when anti-government violent protests by Buddhist monks erupted in Tibet's capital, Lhasa including nearby provinces, New Delhi, backed the same, though outwardly denying any involvement. Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet who has lived in exile in India along with his 120,000 followers since a failed revolt against Chinese rule in 1959 has been tacitly encouraged by New Delhi - enabling him to mobilise armed groups and international support to create instability in the neighbouring provinces of China. New Delhi has tried to claim that despite the Sino-Indian border dispute, it does not favour an independent Tibet and therefore it has not indulged in any propaganda against Beijing. But the Indian claim was proven wrong when former Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha said: "We want good relations with China, but if we reach a point of conflict over Tibet, we should be prepared for that eventuality." New Delhi also re-opened its Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) airbase in northern Laddakh which overlooks the strategic Karakoram Pass and is only eight kilometres, south of the Chinese border - Aksai Chin area. India has also erected more than 10 new helipads and roads between the Sino-Indian border. On April 20, 2008, Times of India quoted Air Marshal P K Barbora stating: "Yes, we have also plans to land our AN-32 transport aircraft at DBO. It is part of the Indian Air Force to improve air maintenance of the far-flung posts in the region." In this connection, Indian Defence Ministry planners are working on building additional airfields and increasing troops - raising two new mountain divisions to be deployed along the 4,057 kilometre Line of Actual Control (LAC). With the help of Israel and America, on February 26, 2008, India conducted its first test of a nuclear-capable missile from an under sea platform after completing its project in connection with air, land and sea ballistic systems. In the recent past, Admiral Mehta revealed that New Delhi "will soon float tenders to acquire six submarines." Targeting Beijing he explained that the "Indian Navy would keep a close watch on the movements of Chinese submarines which are operating out of an underground base in the South China Sea" and "wish to enter the Indian Ocean." However, under the pretension of the China factor, New Delhi and Israel with the tactical support of the US are plotting to block the sea lanes of the Indian Ocean for their joint strategic goals. Moreover USA, which had signed a nuclear deal with India last year, intends to make India South Asia's superpower by containing China and destabilising Pakistan as well as Iran. Therefore, Beijing and Islamabad cannot neglect their common defence when their adversaries are following a covertly aggressive strategy. In this connection, President Asif Zardari had decided to visit China after every three months to further cement ties between the two countries. Last year, Beijing and Islamabad signed 11 agreements to enhance bilateral cooperation in diverse sectors. Hence a revival of the Sino-Indian cold war is part of the greater cold war between the US and China. The writer is a foreign affairs analyst E-mail: sajjad_logic@yahoo.com