In his forthcoming book "The Writing on the Wall", General Padmanabhan predicts that Washington will prove to be a major threat to India's national interests after 2008.

According to the Daily Times, which has been given exclusive access to the contents of the book, Padmanabhan has also predicted a fifth war (including Kargil 1999) taking place between India and Pakistan by 2010.

In this war, he says the Americans will support Pakistan while China will change track and join Russia in supporting India.

Presenting a brief history of the Westphalia model of nation-states, he claims that the US policy of demanding the "right of way" for pursuing its national aims will possibly be the catalyst for a confrontation with India.

"To India, this tendency of the US poses dangers to her hard-won independence and her right to chart her own course to progress and prosperity of her people," he says.

However, the book is all praise for India's defence plan for the next 15 years. Padmanabhan hopes that India will have a more modern defence force at its disposal between now and 2017.

He also predicts that internal dissensions within India will end by 2010.

On the external front, the former army chief says the ongoing thaw in Sino-Indian ties is the most welcome achievement of Indian foreign policy, but adds that both countries need to speed up the resolution of existing problems to deter possible "US hegemony".

By 2010, Padmanabhan envisages that India will have friendly relations with all neighbouring countries except Pakistan and it will become one of the founders of the Asian Security Environment by 2014.

On India's future policy towards Pakistan, Padmanabhan warns that Pakistan will have to pay dearly if it continues to allow its territory to be used for anti-India activity.