rediff.com
News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » News » Indian Army preparing for limited war with China: US intel
This article was first published 12 years ago

Indian Army preparing for limited war with China: US intel

Last updated on: February 1, 2012 12:29 IST

Image: The Indian Army's multiple launch rocket system "Smerch" is displayed during the Army Day parade in New Delhi
Photographs: Reuters

Noting that India is increasingly getting concerned about China's posture on its border, a top United States intelligence official said on Wednesday that the Indian Army is strengthening itself for a "limited conflict" with China.

"Despite public statements intended to downplay tensions between India and China, we judge that India is increasingly concerned about China's posture along their disputed border and Beijing's perceived aggressive posture in the Indian Ocean and Asia-Pacific region," Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said in his prepared testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

...

'India working to balance Chinese power projection in the Indian Ocean'

Image: Indian naval warships form a line during an exercise in the waters of Bay of Bengal
Photographs: Reuters

"The Indian Army believes a major Sino-Indian conflict is not imminent, but the Indian military is strengthening its forces in preparation to fight a limited conflict along the disputed border, and is working to balance Chinese power projection in the Indian Ocean," he said.

India, Clapper said, has expressed support for a strong US military posture in East Asia and US engagement in Asia. He said China in 2011 appeared to temper the assertive behaviour that characterised its foreign policy the year before, but the internal and external drivers of that behaviour persist.

'Beijing may act contrary to peace commitments if challenged'

Image: Recruits from the People's Liberation Army attend a training session at a military base in Yinchuan
Photographs: Reuters

"Moreover, although Chinese leaders have affirmed their commitment to a peaceful and pragmatic foreign policy -- and especially to stable relations with China's neighbours and the rest of the world -- Beijing may take actions contrary to that goal if it perceives that China's sovereignty or national security is being seriously challenged," he said.

Many of Beijing's military capability goals have now been realised, resulting in impressive military might.

Other goals remain longer term, but the Chinese army is receiving the funding and political support to transform it into a fully modern force, capable of sustained operations in Asia and beyond, he said.

Tags: Beijing , China , Asia

TOP photo features


...
Tags: PHOTO , MORE , TOP
© Copyright 2024 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.