Washington, December 24 (). Despite talks with India and efforts to reduce tensions, China has not reduced its military preparations on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). A recent report by the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) has revealed that China is continuously preparing for a possible military conflict on the Indian border.
According to the report, China’s Western Theater Command handles the responsibility for military operations related to India. This command has been specially organized and trained for combat and border situations in high altitude areas.
The report said that in the year 2024, the Chinese Army conducted exercises involving live fire drills and rapid military movement in mountainous areas. The purpose of these exercises was to prepare for combat in low oxygen and high altitude conditions.
The US Defense Department report also says that China considers its territorial claims as ‘core interests’, on which there is no scope for any kind of negotiation. India’s Arunachal Pradesh is also included in this list, which China keeps within the scope of its claims.
Although India and China had agreed to disengage from the remaining standoff areas along the LAC by October 2024, the report cautions that this does not imply any change in China’s long-term military strategy. According to the Pentagon, the reduction in tensions does not mean that China has given up its military preparations.
The report says that China is trying to stop the growing strategic cooperation between India and America by keeping the tension on the border low. Also, Beijing remains concerned about the India-US defense partnership. China considers America’s growing alliances in the Indo-Pacific region as a challenge to its strategic independence.
Moreover, China’s comprehensive military modernization process is also important for India. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is rapidly expanding missile capabilities, air power, cyber units and space-based surveillance systems. This is giving China the ability to take action on multiple fronts simultaneously.
According to the report, China has also strengthened its ability to rapidly deploy troops and conduct long-term operations on its western border. Special attention is being given to better logistics, joint command system and quick military mobilization.
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VKU/DSC
