Observing that the Indian Army is the 'most active' in Asia, a leading official Chinese newspaper has alleged that New Delhi makes use of an 'invisible military budget' for key weapons acquisitions.

The top weaponry is purchased through 'invisible military budget,' the Global Times, a sister publication of the ruling Communist Party of China's official mouthpiece, the People's Daily, said in a special report on the Indian armed forces.

'The Indian army is undoubtedly the most active armed force in Asia today, allegedly stationing forces in Tajikistan, establishing surveillance stations in Africa, sending aircraft carriers to Bay of Bengal for exercise, etc. Indian army makes it to the military news almost every day, yet the outside world knows so little about it,' the paper, mostly read by intellectuals and scholars, said in a lengthy report based on interviews with Indian soldiers.

'It (the Indian Army) has top weaponry, but before a battle, its solders pray to their gods without exception; it has 1.3 million personnel in service, but you seldom run into one wearing military uniform in the cities; it is like a melting pot, but servicemen of different religious sects stare at each other when they meet,' the report said.

'If Indian society is the most sophisticated in the world, its army is undoubtedly equally sophisticated,' it said, noting that the Indian soldier is paid well, getting over 4,000 yuan ($527 US) per month.

'Because the enlistment pays well, applicants are many,' it added. 

However, the article gave examples of weird experiences of three jawans who wanted to join the army to make a living.      

'One soldier told me that his enlister asked him to catch two cobras, and when he asked why, the enlister said he wanted to test see his boldness. Knowing it was dangerous, he still went for the cobras. Another told me that he had to have his father work as a labourer for three months at the enlister's home. And yet another soldier told me in fury that he became enlisted at the price of his younger sister,' the author wrote.

The Indian army is also known for its large number of aged servicemen who have beards, the article pointed out.

'After being in the army for long, they know they are there for the money and to make a living for the family, so they each become a riff-raff.

'They have a widely adopted code, that is, show your bravery to your superior, but you can't do it for real. There is nothing to be ashamed if caught as prisoners of war. As long as you are alive and released home, your salary is paid, not a penny less. As long as you are alive, you can make money to support your family and live a good life,' it said.

In conclusion, the article pointed out that 'the more and deeper you are exposed to the Indian army, people will develop the view that the Indian army is like the Indian society, intriguing and perplexing.'