China will remain a threat to India in future, says Army Vice Chief

It is expanding its influence in the region, says Lt. Gen. Sarath Chand

A view of the iconic Yam Dro Yum Tso lake on the Lhasa-Yadong route to Nathu La. Photo: Atul Aneja

China, with its growing influence in the region, will remain a threat for India in the future, said Lt. Gen. Sarath Chand, Vice-Chief of Army Staff, on Tuesday even as he defended the comment of the Army Chief, General Bipin Rawat, on a “two-and-a-half front war”.

His comments come in the backdrop of the continuing standoff between the two Armies at Doklam which began on June 16 after Chinese troops tried to build a road in the disputed territory.

“China is expanding its influence across the Himalayas into our neighbourhood. Despite having the Himalayas between us, it is bound to be a threat for us in the years ahead,” Lt. Gen. Chand said, addressing a joint seminar organised by the Army’s Master General Ordnance and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Last month, Gen. Rawat had said that the Army was “fully ready for a two and a half front war” — facing China, Pakistan and dealing with militancy simultaneously.

Referring to the comments, Lt. Gen. Chand said, “He never meant to whip up war hysteria. He was merely stating a fact that we need to take care and we need to pay more attention to our security.”

Military modernisation

Talking of China’s rapid military modernisation, he said a large portion of their defence spending remains undisclosed.

In line with its modernisation, this year China has hiked defence spending to $152 billion, about three times that of India, but the real spend is estimated to be much higher.

On Pakistan

On Pakistan, Lt. Gen. Chand said being a smaller country with smaller economy, it resorts to a “low-intensity conflict” with India rather than engage in a full-fledged war and said, “That suits its all-weather friend China.”

He said Pakistan “stooped so low” by targeting schools and inflicting casualties on civilians along the Line of Control, and stated, “This is not something that we would do.”

Stating that South Asia continues to be one of the most “volatile areas” in the world, he added, “India being at the centre of it is the security provider for this region.”