Since u are a veteran I will assume that your analysis will be more credible than mine and will be happy if this is the case. All I hope is that our strategy has adequately gamed a scenario where china and pak simultaneously open fronts. It may happen in PoK and askai chin or punjab ans arunachal or any other combo. When it happen we should be ready....That's all I hope for as a civvy
Your position on this issue has merit.
China fighting wars with others weapons, on others shoulders and them generally being sneaky is a general accepted position and they are very well aware of this perception. Expect them to go against accepted wisdom.
china now has credible military muscle and its quite possible some in the govt. are itching to showcase their military superiority over a credible but weaker (in their opinion) power. Think of how a successful military intervention will actually establish its credentials and subjugate smaller rivals.
Think of it as how a successful war against India will decimate viets, phillipines, Japan et al
without a fight.
The possibility of war with china is not in the realms of theory anymore. Its a real possibility and it will materialise when Chinese find India at its most vulnerable. India in a out right war with Pakistan is one such situation.
Quite possibly our military planners understand this position and have thus prepared and made provisions for a two front war.
India fighting a war ONLY with china does Chinese no favours and they know it. However, with India preoccupied on another front with Pakistan presents them with interesting opportunities, which I believe, they won't let go of.
To summarise
1. They will go against the generally accepted wisdom. So if you think they will count their pennies while we are at war with Pakistan. Good luck.
2. In a war with Pakistan, its a possibility that Chinese won't open another front. Its however miniscule.
3. In a war with china, consider it a given that Pakistanis will open another front, on cue from Chinese.
Navy will play a vital role in such a war. I hope they have kept adequate stock of torpedoes for their subs.