According to historian John Garver, Mao prepared to encouraged the Pakistanis to keep fighting once the fighting turned against them, and offered to come into the fight on Pakistan's side. The Pakistani leadership did not take him up on the offer.
What if Mao were a little more forward leaning and entered the fight some days before any cease-fire was agreed to in September 1965. The war did not come as a surprise to Beijing and there had been prior coordination, so the PRC could have had some of its border forces somewhat ready.
The situation would be ripe for escalation from there.
On the one hand, extra numbers and an extra front would be bad for India.
On the other hand, I think that Indian forces had woken up to a degree and improved their readiness on the Sino-Soviet border since the 1962 war.
Also, I don't know if the PRC forces were at the same, better, or worse quality in 65 compared to 62 - There was awfulness in turn-of-the decade China that could have rubbed off onto the forces by then. On the other hand, since the worst of it peaked in 62, maybe the PLA would be recovered.
If it is limited to these three combatants, India, China and Pakistan, what is the likely outcome of the conflict?
But, could yet more combatants join in, in a 1914 style chain reaction?
For instance, both the USSR and the USA could be quite alarmed at the prospect of a Chinese victory here, and may feel it necessary to prop up India to deny China a victory.
A USSR-PRC war could escalate to major operations, attempts at a disarming strike against China's nukes, or larger nuclear war. A US intervention could theoretically result in US airstrikes on China, possibly including strikes focused on eliminating China's nukes.
If there were escalation to involvement by either superpower, what would be the global effects?
For instance, on US, USSR and PRC handling of the Vietnam War
How would South Asian actors react in a wider or longer war, for instance Afghanistan (which had claims on Pakistan, but hardly any armed strength) and the Awami League in East Pakistan (the later Bangladesh). What about more guerrilla warfare or uprisings in Tibet?
Your thoughts please.
What if Mao were a little more forward leaning and entered the fight some days before any cease-fire was agreed to in September 1965. The war did not come as a surprise to Beijing and there had been prior coordination, so the PRC could have had some of its border forces somewhat ready.
The situation would be ripe for escalation from there.
On the one hand, extra numbers and an extra front would be bad for India.
On the other hand, I think that Indian forces had woken up to a degree and improved their readiness on the Sino-Soviet border since the 1962 war.
Also, I don't know if the PRC forces were at the same, better, or worse quality in 65 compared to 62 - There was awfulness in turn-of-the decade China that could have rubbed off onto the forces by then. On the other hand, since the worst of it peaked in 62, maybe the PLA would be recovered.
If it is limited to these three combatants, India, China and Pakistan, what is the likely outcome of the conflict?
But, could yet more combatants join in, in a 1914 style chain reaction?
For instance, both the USSR and the USA could be quite alarmed at the prospect of a Chinese victory here, and may feel it necessary to prop up India to deny China a victory.
A USSR-PRC war could escalate to major operations, attempts at a disarming strike against China's nukes, or larger nuclear war. A US intervention could theoretically result in US airstrikes on China, possibly including strikes focused on eliminating China's nukes.
If there were escalation to involvement by either superpower, what would be the global effects?
For instance, on US, USSR and PRC handling of the Vietnam War
How would South Asian actors react in a wider or longer war, for instance Afghanistan (which had claims on Pakistan, but hardly any armed strength) and the Awami League in East Pakistan (the later Bangladesh). What about more guerrilla warfare or uprisings in Tibet?
Your thoughts please.