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New Delhi-US Indo-Pacific Commander Charles Flynn expressed concern during his recent visit to India that China’s defense infrastructure is being built on the border between India and China.
“The level of activity is spectacular and some of the infrastructure is [Chinese Army’s] Flynn told journalists in New Delhi after meeting with Indian Army Chief of Defense Staff Manoji Pande on June 8.
We need to ask, “Why does the Chinese army need such weapons in all areas?”
India and China have been involved in multiple standoffs for 18 months at the conflicting borders of the eastern Ladakh region after the bloody Gallowan conflict in June 2020, which claimed the lives of 20 Indian soldiers. rice field.
According to recent satellite images, the Chinese administration’s army, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), is building a second bridge between the north and south shores of Lake Pangonzo. Two-thirds of the lake is under Chinese control, and the bridge is built on a territory controlled by China but also India.
PLA is also building a new pier at the strategic location of the lake and a road connecting the lake to G219, the national highway connecting Tibet and the western region of Xinjiang.
Abhishek Darbey, a fellow at the China Analytical Strategy Center based in New Delhi, told The Epoch Times that PLA is also building an air force infrastructure that includes multiple air force bases and heliports. The Chinese Air Force continues to be deployed at three air force bases facing eastern Ladakh. The straight flight distance from one of these bases to New Delhi is less than 249 miles, and it takes only 15 minutes for a Chinese military aircraft to reach the Indian capital.
Experts said Flynn’s statement would send a strong message to China.
“These welcome words represent a policy of successive U.S. civilian and military personnel to show continued support for India against China’s invasion along the border,” Washington said. Aparna Pande, a researcher and director of the Hudson Institute’s initiative based in the United States, said. The future of India and South Asia.
Indian media reports that Indian and US troops are planning to conduct an exercise called “Yudh Adhyas” in the Himalayas at altitudes of 9000 to 10,000 feet in October to further enhance military interoperability. ..
General Charles A. Flynn, Commander US Army Pacific #USARPAC Called by General Manoji Pande #COAS & Discussed aspects of bilateral defense cooperation.#IndianArmy#IndiaUSFriendship pic.twitter.com/QLD42WgPqJ
— ADG PI – Indian Army (@adgpi) June 7, 2022
Flynn called US-India relations a “counterweight to the corrupt behavior of the Chinese,” and said the CCP’s activities in the Indo-Pacific were “unstable and corrosive.”
He added that Washington is ready to offer India and co-develop cutting-edge military technology with New Delhi.
Mr Durbay said the PLA is focusing on building military and air force infrastructure at the conflict border between India and China in ways that make it difficult for the United States and satellites to detect. He added that PLA is far superior to last year in terms of shelter, road connectivity and adaptability.
Zhao Lijian, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, criticized Flynn’s remarks on June 9, saying it was an attempt to “add fuel to the fire” between India and China.
Mr Pande said the Chinese government has always interfered with conflicts in other countries, including issuing statements during the conflict between India and Pakistan, but does not like it when countries speak about issues related to China. rice field.
“China wants India not working closely with the United States, not India. With the support of the United States and its allies, China can withstand China’s demands and invade China. I would disagree, “Pande said.
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Venus Upadhayaya reports on various issues. Her area of expertise is geopolitics in India and South Asia. She reports from the highly volatile Indian-Pakistan border and has contributed to India’s mainstream print media for almost a decade. Community media, sustainable development and leadership continue to be her key areas of interest.
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