India, Feb. 11 -- At first glance, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China appears formidable-a well-equipped military force backed by the world's second-largest economy and a staggering defense budget exceeding $230 billion. Yet, beneath this veneer of military might lies a fundamental weakness that has long plagued the PLA: its reliance on conscription.

In stark contrast, India boasts the world's largest volunteer army, a force that is not only highly professional but battle-hardened by decades of real-world operational experience. As tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) continue to simmer, this key difference raises an important question: Can a force reliant on short-term, often reluctant conscripts ever truly match the...