New Delhi: Emphasizing on China making a “huge” entry into South Asia and the Indian Ocean region to consolidate its position as an emerging global power, Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat on Saturday said Beijing’s ambitions and The aspirations of global power present an “omnipresent threat”. for stability in South Asia
Delivering the first Ravikant Singh Memorial Lecture, the Chief of Defense Staff said, “We are witnessing a geo-strategic competition and huge investment by China in the region to create a favorable posture to provide adequate protection to our interests,” PTI reported. Told.
He said Bangladesh and Myanmar have been the biggest recipients of Chinese military aid in recent times.
Stating that China’s entry into Myanmar and Bangladesh is not in India’s national interest as these are attempts to swallow India, the Chief of Defense Staff said an all-encompassing threat of regional strategic instability exists.
He said it has the potential to pose a threat to India’s territorial integrity and strategic importance.
Pakistan’s state-sponsored terrorism as well as claims against New Delhi by non-state actors is an obstacle to the peace process between the two countries, with General Rawat describing the partnership between Islamabad and Beijing on a range of issues, including China from providing military hardware. Supporting Pakistan and international forums as an anti-India nexus.
Addressing a press conference, the Chief of Defense Staff later said that the border issues with China should be seen in totality and not as issues related to the Ladakh sector or the north-eastern states.
Emphasizing that people should have faith and confidence in the system and the armed forces, he said that there is doubt between the two countries, and hence issues take time to resolve.
General Rawat said that India will have to increase its participation in neighboring countries as a measure to counter China’s influence in the region.
“The Chinese have a habit of using money force to gain popularity in a country (they are trying to influence). But as our Prime Minister has given a clarion call, security and development for all of us. I believe in,” said General Rawat.
“We have to tell our neighbors that we are here as permanent friends and engage with them on equal terms and we consider all neighbors as equal partners in development,” he said.
Commenting on the country’s defense preparedness, General Rawat said: “We stand strong.”
He said that while India has adequate defense and weapon systems, the government has allowed armed forces to procure necessary weapons by invoking emergency powers.
With regard to the recent violence against security forces as well as civilians in Jammu and Kashmir, General Rawat said: “Our western adversary (Pakistan) is indulging in proxy war with us. They will do anything to disturb peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
Describing the killings in Jammu and Kashmir as an attempt by the neighboring country to spread fear among the people, the Chief of Defense Staff said: “We should not be afraid of them or fall into such a trap.”
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