News Analysis India

Tag: China

  • Dealing with China will be a ‘challenge’ during India’s G20 presidency: Ex-dy NSA Pankaj Saran

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Dealing with China would be a “challenge” for India during its G20 presidency and New Delhi would adopt a “cautious approach” towards Beijing, judging it by its deeds and not words, former deputy national security advisor Pankaj Saran said on Sunday.

    In an interview with PTI, Saran also said India would expect that China recognises it as a rising power and deals with it on equal terms.

    He said India’s number one priority during its upcoming G20 presidency should be to restore the economic order that provides stability and creates an atmosphere conducive to the growth of an economy such as itself.

    India should focus on bringing a semblance of sanity back into the global order, said Saran, who is a member of the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB).

    ALSO READ | India must utilise G20 presidency by focusing on global good: PM Modi

    Saran said another important priority for India during its presidency would be to address the issues of concern to the developing world such as energy security, food security, climate security, and to see how India’s voice and perspective can be infused into the G20.

    He said that unfortunately the entire G20 agenda which is essentially economic has been “weaponised” by the advanced economies.

    “So because of the (Ukraine) conflict today we are confronted with weaponisation of economic and financial transactions in the world… and the fault for this lies both on the advanced western economies as well as Russia, and the victims are developing countries like India,” he said.

    Saran asserted that another key priority for India would be the issue of reform of multilateral international organisations and institutions as they, in the current state, do not reflect contemporary realities, he said.

    Saran said the formulation -today’s era must not be of war- that was adopted at the G20 summit in Bali earlier this month was an echo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message to Russian President Vladimir Putin in the wake of the Ukraine conflict and reflected India’s growing clout at the world stage.

    “It is rare that an Indian perspective is recognised by a powerful grouping like the G20. India’s role enabled the G20 to find a consensus on this issue,” said Saran, who was the deputy NSA from September 1, 2018 to December 31, 2021.

    Asked about how India would perform the balancing act as G20 president with China as one of the prominent members of the grouping, Saran said, “This is going to be a challenge for Indian diplomacy and it is also going to be a challenge for China as to how it chooses to deal with India because it has no option but to deal with India as the G20 president.”

    “Not just at the summit level but there are several meetings as part of the Indian G20 presidency,” he noted.

    ALSO READ | Ahead of G20, India placed at best among G20 countries on Climate Change Performances

    “In each of the meetings, India is going to be in the chair, so China also has to take some tough decisions on how it wishes to approach and support or not support India’s presidency,” Saran said.

    “Obviously President (Xi Jinping) is going to be invited for the Summit and China will be invited for all the other meetings. You just have to hope that China understands and recognises that India is a rising economy, it is a rising power,” Saran told PTI.

    “China has to accept and deal with India on terms which are equal, which give respect to India, and it translates its words into deeds on how it respects India’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, adheres to the agreements on peace and tranquillity at the border and also respects India’s core national interests,” he said.

    China has to do all that and also ensure that it restores the status quo which existed before April 2020, Saran said.

    “I think the approach to China is going to be cautious, we will judge them by their deeds not by the words and this is an opportunity for China to prove that it genuinely desires to live in peace with India based on the established principles of international law,” Saran said.

    On the issue of India buying Russian oil and the West calling on developing countries to cut energy imports from Russia, he said India has already decided and will continue to import oil from wherever it suits its budget and from where it can find the resources to satisfy its domestic needs.

    Noting that terrorism got only a fleeting reference in the Bali declaration, Saran said it is clear that terrorism as a concern seems to have fallen off the global agenda but that is not the case so far as India is concerned.

    “We have the twin challenges of the Taliban-led Afghanistan and the deep state of Pakistan. Whether and how much we try to bring terrorism into the forefront of the G20 agenda has to be seen and depends on developments on the ground,” he added.

    Talking about the Ukraine conflict and India’s role going forward as president of the G20, Saran asserted that the grouping is an economic forum, not political.

    “Having said that India enjoys a unique position in the world where it has developed enough equities to talk to all sides — whether it is Russia, Ukraine, US or Europe. So as president we can play the role of introducing some sanity and rationality into the world order,” he said.

    India will assume the presidency of the powerful grouping from the current chair Indonesia on December 1.

    The G20 comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union.

    NEW DELHI: Dealing with China would be a “challenge” for India during its G20 presidency and New Delhi would adopt a “cautious approach” towards Beijing, judging it by its deeds and not words, former deputy national security advisor Pankaj Saran said on Sunday.

    In an interview with PTI, Saran also said India would expect that China recognises it as a rising power and deals with it on equal terms.

    He said India’s number one priority during its upcoming G20 presidency should be to restore the economic order that provides stability and creates an atmosphere conducive to the growth of an economy such as itself.

    India should focus on bringing a semblance of sanity back into the global order, said Saran, who is a member of the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB).

    ALSO READ | India must utilise G20 presidency by focusing on global good: PM Modi

    Saran said another important priority for India during its presidency would be to address the issues of concern to the developing world such as energy security, food security, climate security, and to see how India’s voice and perspective can be infused into the G20.

    He said that unfortunately the entire G20 agenda which is essentially economic has been “weaponised” by the advanced economies.

    “So because of the (Ukraine) conflict today we are confronted with weaponisation of economic and financial transactions in the world… and the fault for this lies both on the advanced western economies as well as Russia, and the victims are developing countries like India,” he said.

    Saran asserted that another key priority for India would be the issue of reform of multilateral international organisations and institutions as they, in the current state, do not reflect contemporary realities, he said.

    Saran said the formulation -today’s era must not be of war- that was adopted at the G20 summit in Bali earlier this month was an echo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message to Russian President Vladimir Putin in the wake of the Ukraine conflict and reflected India’s growing clout at the world stage.

    “It is rare that an Indian perspective is recognised by a powerful grouping like the G20. India’s role enabled the G20 to find a consensus on this issue,” said Saran, who was the deputy NSA from September 1, 2018 to December 31, 2021.

    Asked about how India would perform the balancing act as G20 president with China as one of the prominent members of the grouping, Saran said, “This is going to be a challenge for Indian diplomacy and it is also going to be a challenge for China as to how it chooses to deal with India because it has no option but to deal with India as the G20 president.”

    “Not just at the summit level but there are several meetings as part of the Indian G20 presidency,” he noted.

    ALSO READ | Ahead of G20, India placed at best among G20 countries on Climate Change Performances

    “In each of the meetings, India is going to be in the chair, so China also has to take some tough decisions on how it wishes to approach and support or not support India’s presidency,” Saran said.

    “Obviously President (Xi Jinping) is going to be invited for the Summit and China will be invited for all the other meetings. You just have to hope that China understands and recognises that India is a rising economy, it is a rising power,” Saran told PTI.

    “China has to accept and deal with India on terms which are equal, which give respect to India, and it translates its words into deeds on how it respects India’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, adheres to the agreements on peace and tranquillity at the border and also respects India’s core national interests,” he said.

    China has to do all that and also ensure that it restores the status quo which existed before April 2020, Saran said.

    “I think the approach to China is going to be cautious, we will judge them by their deeds not by the words and this is an opportunity for China to prove that it genuinely desires to live in peace with India based on the established principles of international law,” Saran said.

    On the issue of India buying Russian oil and the West calling on developing countries to cut energy imports from Russia, he said India has already decided and will continue to import oil from wherever it suits its budget and from where it can find the resources to satisfy its domestic needs.

    Noting that terrorism got only a fleeting reference in the Bali declaration, Saran said it is clear that terrorism as a concern seems to have fallen off the global agenda but that is not the case so far as India is concerned.

    “We have the twin challenges of the Taliban-led Afghanistan and the deep state of Pakistan. Whether and how much we try to bring terrorism into the forefront of the G20 agenda has to be seen and depends on developments on the ground,” he added.

    Talking about the Ukraine conflict and India’s role going forward as president of the G20, Saran asserted that the grouping is an economic forum, not political.

    “Having said that India enjoys a unique position in the world where it has developed enough equities to talk to all sides — whether it is Russia, Ukraine, US or Europe. So as president we can play the role of introducing some sanity and rationality into the world order,” he said.

    India will assume the presidency of the powerful grouping from the current chair Indonesia on December 1.

    The G20 comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union.

  • Nations that aid terror must pay the price: Modi

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Asserting that there can be no ‘ifs and buts’ in dealing with terrorism, Prime Minster Narendra Modi on Friday tore into countries that are known to support terrorists by offering them political, ideological and financial backing.

    In a not-so-hidden reference to Pakistan and China, Modi said the rest of the world must come together to impose cost on countries that help terrorists flourish. Organisations and individuals that try to create sympathy for terrorists must also be isolated, he added. 

    “Certain countries support terrorism as part of their foreign policy,” Modi said while addressing the No Money for Terror ministerial conference here on Friday. Delegates from 73 countries and representatives of 15 multilateral organisations are attending the two-day conference being held in Delhi on Friday and Saturday. 

    According to officials, Pakistan and Afghanistan were not invited. China was invited but no representative from that country turned up.  Dwelling at length on the different shades of terrorism, Modi said: “International organisations must not think the absence of war means peace. Proxy wars are also dangerous and violent.” He added that the world needs to unite against all kinds of overt and covert backing of terror. 

    Taking a swipe at China, Modi said some countries make indirect arguments to block action against terrorists, adding that there should be equal outrage and action against all kinds of terror attacks.Speaking at the conference, Union home minister Amit Shah opined that financing of terror is more dangerous than terrorism itself. He said terrorists seem to be using cryptocurrency and the darknet to raise money and radicalise youth. 

    Money trailUnderlining the need to strike at the root of terror funding, Modi said organised crime needs to be crushed because money made in gun-running, drugs and smuggling is pumped into terrorism

    NEW DELHI: Asserting that there can be no ‘ifs and buts’ in dealing with terrorism, Prime Minster Narendra Modi on Friday tore into countries that are known to support terrorists by offering them political, ideological and financial backing.

    In a not-so-hidden reference to Pakistan and China, Modi said the rest of the world must come together to impose cost on countries that help terrorists flourish. Organisations and individuals that try to create sympathy for terrorists must also be isolated, he added. 

    “Certain countries support terrorism as part of their foreign policy,” Modi said while addressing the No Money for Terror ministerial conference here on Friday. Delegates from 73 countries and representatives of 15 multilateral organisations are attending the two-day conference being held in Delhi on Friday and Saturday. 

    According to officials, Pakistan and Afghanistan were not invited. China was invited but no representative from that country turned up.  Dwelling at length on the different shades of terrorism, Modi said: “International organisations must not think the absence of war means peace. Proxy wars are also dangerous and violent.” He added that the world needs to unite against all kinds of overt and covert backing of terror. 

    Taking a swipe at China, Modi said some countries make indirect arguments to block action against terrorists, adding that there should be equal outrage and action against all kinds of terror attacks.
    Speaking at the conference, Union home minister Amit Shah opined that financing of terror is more dangerous than terrorism itself. He said terrorists seem to be using cryptocurrency and the darknet to raise money and radicalise youth. 

    Money trail
    Underlining the need to strike at the root of terror funding, Modi said organised crime needs to be crushed because money made in gun-running, drugs and smuggling is pumped into terrorism

  • No reduction of Chinese troops at LAC, says Army chief on Ladakh standoff

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The situation in eastern Ladakh is “stable but unpredictable”, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande said on Saturday amid the over 30-month standoff between the Indian and Chinese troops in the high-altitude region.

    In an address at a think-tank, Gen Pande said the focus of the next round of military talks would be to resolve issues at the two remaining friction points, seen as a reference to Demchok and Depsang in that region.

    The Army chief also said that there has been no reduction in the strength of the Chinese troops at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the region though there are indications of the return of some of the PLA brigades with the onset of winter as they came for collective training.

    Gen Pande, in his remarks at the ‘Chanakya Dialogues’, pitched for “very carefully calibrated” actions on the LAC to be able to safeguard India’s interests and sensitivities.

    “If I have to describe it (situation) in a single sentence, then I will say that the situation is stable but unpredictable,” Gen Pande said, replying to a question.

    On China’s infrastructure development along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, the Army Chief said it is going on “unabated” and that they are constructing helipads, airfields and roads right up to the passes.

    “One of the notable developments has been the G695 highway which is parallel to the LAC which will give them the ability not only to move forces forward but also switch forces from one sector to another,” he said.

    “As far as our preparations are concerned, our transition to the winter posture is currently underway. But We have also made sure that we have adequate forces and adequate reserves to be able to deal with any contingency,” he added.

    “But in the larger context, we need to very carefully calibrate our actions on the LAC to be able to safeguard both our interests and sensitivities yet be prepared to deal with all types of contingencies,” the Army Chief noted.READ | Ladakh airfield to get upgrade for fighter aircraft ops amid reports of China’s infra works

    There has been no progress yet on resolving the standoff in the Demchok and Depsang regions though the two sides withdrew troops from a number of friction points following a series of military and diplomatic talks.”You are aware of the ongoing talks right at the political, diplomatic and military levels which have been going on between the two sides. Because of these talks, we have been able to find resolution in five out of the seven friction points which were on the table,” Gen Pande said.

    “It is for the remaining two friction points that we are attempting to find resolution,” he noted.

    Gen Pande noted that there was no reduction in the number of troops of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in the region. “As far as PLA’s force levels are concerned, there has been no significant reduction,” he said adding there are indications that some of their brigades, which have come for the purpose of collective training, are going back with the onset of winter. “But on the LAC itself, there is no reduction of strength,” he said.

    The Chief of Army Staff also referred to last month’s talks between the two sides under the framework Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on the India-China Border Affairs.

    “We are looking on the next date for the 17th round (of military talks) and that is where I believe through dialogue, we hope to find resolution in these two areas (Demchok and Depsang),” he said.

    The 16th round of high-level military talks took place on July 17. In line with a decision at the meeting, the two sides carried out disengagement from Patrolling Point 15 in the Gogra-Hotsprings area in September.

    Asked about Chinese President Xi Jinping asking PLA troops to remain ready to fight and win wars, Gen Pande said that Indian forces need to focus on Chinese actions.

    “We all know that what the Chinese say and what they do is quite different. It is also part of their deception, or their nature, their character. What they say or articulate, but perhaps we need to focus on their actions rather than what is there in the written text or scripts or their articulation. Perhaps, then we will not go wrong,” he said.

    External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday asserted that India’s relationship with China cannot be normal unless there is peace in the border areas and there is no ambiguity in New Delhi’s signalling to that country.

    The eastern Ladakh border standoff erupted on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong lake area. Both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers and heavy weaponry.

    As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed the disengagement process last year on the north and south banks of the Pangong lake and in the Gogra area.

    The disengagement in the Pangong Lake area took place in February last year while the withdrawal of troops and equipment in Patrolling Point 17 (A) in Gogra took place in August last year.ALSO READ | Situation has not returned to normal: MEA on eastern Ladakh border row

    NEW DELHI: The situation in eastern Ladakh is “stable but unpredictable”, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande said on Saturday amid the over 30-month standoff between the Indian and Chinese troops in the high-altitude region.

    In an address at a think-tank, Gen Pande said the focus of the next round of military talks would be to resolve issues at the two remaining friction points, seen as a reference to Demchok and Depsang in that region.

    The Army chief also said that there has been no reduction in the strength of the Chinese troops at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the region though there are indications of the return of some of the PLA brigades with the onset of winter as they came for collective training.

    Gen Pande, in his remarks at the ‘Chanakya Dialogues’, pitched for “very carefully calibrated” actions on the LAC to be able to safeguard India’s interests and sensitivities.

    “If I have to describe it (situation) in a single sentence, then I will say that the situation is stable but unpredictable,” Gen Pande said, replying to a question.

    On China’s infrastructure development along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, the Army Chief said it is going on “unabated” and that they are constructing helipads, airfields and roads right up to the passes.

    “One of the notable developments has been the G695 highway which is parallel to the LAC which will give them the ability not only to move forces forward but also switch forces from one sector to another,” he said.

    “As far as our preparations are concerned, our transition to the winter posture is currently underway. But We have also made sure that we have adequate forces and adequate reserves to be able to deal with any contingency,” he added.

    “But in the larger context, we need to very carefully calibrate our actions on the LAC to be able to safeguard both our interests and sensitivities yet be prepared to deal with all types of contingencies,” the Army Chief noted.READ | Ladakh airfield to get upgrade for fighter aircraft ops amid reports of China’s infra works

    There has been no progress yet on resolving the standoff in the Demchok and Depsang regions though the two sides withdrew troops from a number of friction points following a series of military and diplomatic talks.”You are aware of the ongoing talks right at the political, diplomatic and military levels which have been going on between the two sides. Because of these talks, we have been able to find resolution in five out of the seven friction points which were on the table,” Gen Pande said.

    “It is for the remaining two friction points that we are attempting to find resolution,” he noted.

    Gen Pande noted that there was no reduction in the number of troops of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in the region. “As far as PLA’s force levels are concerned, there has been no significant reduction,” he said adding there are indications that some of their brigades, which have come for the purpose of collective training, are going back with the onset of winter. “But on the LAC itself, there is no reduction of strength,” he said.

    The Chief of Army Staff also referred to last month’s talks between the two sides under the framework Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on the India-China Border Affairs.

    “We are looking on the next date for the 17th round (of military talks) and that is where I believe through dialogue, we hope to find resolution in these two areas (Demchok and Depsang),” he said.

    The 16th round of high-level military talks took place on July 17. In line with a decision at the meeting, the two sides carried out disengagement from Patrolling Point 15 in the Gogra-Hotsprings area in September.

    Asked about Chinese President Xi Jinping asking PLA troops to remain ready to fight and win wars, Gen Pande said that Indian forces need to focus on Chinese actions.

    “We all know that what the Chinese say and what they do is quite different. It is also part of their deception, or their nature, their character. What they say or articulate, but perhaps we need to focus on their actions rather than what is there in the written text or scripts or their articulation. Perhaps, then we will not go wrong,” he said.

    External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday asserted that India’s relationship with China cannot be normal unless there is peace in the border areas and there is no ambiguity in New Delhi’s signalling to that country.

    The eastern Ladakh border standoff erupted on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong lake area. Both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers and heavy weaponry.

    As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed the disengagement process last year on the north and south banks of the Pangong lake and in the Gogra area.

    The disengagement in the Pangong Lake area took place in February last year while the withdrawal of troops and equipment in Patrolling Point 17 (A) in Gogra took place in August last year.ALSO READ | Situation has not returned to normal: MEA on eastern Ladakh border row

  • US treasury secretary Janet Yellen nudges India to cut business ties with China, Russia

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Seeking to nudge India to cut trade ties with China and Russia, US treasury secretary Janet Yellen on Friday said it is high time the world moved away from doing business with “risky countries”. 

    Pitching the concept of ‘friendshoring’, where countries will source their needs from those with shared values, she said: “For too long, countries around the world have been overly dependent on risky countries or a single source for critical inputs.

    We are proactively deepening economic integration with trusted trading partners like India.” Meanwhile, in a separate development that could sweeten the pitch, the US Department of Treasury on Friday removed India from its Currency Monitoring List. India had been on the list for the last two years.

    Yellen also noted that the while the Ukraine war has brought distress to the world economy with energy prices skyrocketing, the challenges from the conflict and supply strains have in fact brought India and the US closer together. India is an indispensable partner to the US, Yellen added.  

    Addressing the media jointly with Yellen, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that India and the US will look forward to strengthening bilateral ties with greater vigour. “We will continue to rely on close cooperation with the US to address the global economic challenges in a more coordinated manner and in strengthening multilateralism,” she said. 

    NEW DELHI: Seeking to nudge India to cut trade ties with China and Russia, US treasury secretary Janet Yellen on Friday said it is high time the world moved away from doing business with “risky countries”. 

    Pitching the concept of ‘friendshoring’, where countries will source their needs from those with shared values, she said: “For too long, countries around the world have been overly dependent on risky countries or a single source for critical inputs.

    We are proactively deepening economic integration with trusted trading partners like India.” Meanwhile, in a separate development that could sweeten the pitch, the US Department of Treasury on Friday removed India from its Currency Monitoring List. India had been on the list for the last two years.

    Yellen also noted that the while the Ukraine war has brought distress to the world economy with energy prices skyrocketing, the challenges from the conflict and supply strains have in fact brought India and the US closer together. India is an indispensable partner to the US, Yellen added.  

    Addressing the media jointly with Yellen, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that India and the US will look forward to strengthening bilateral ties with greater vigour. “We will continue to rely on close cooperation with the US to address the global economic challenges in a more coordinated manner and in strengthening multilateralism,” she said. 

  • India’s foreign Secy meets US Deputy Secy of State; talks on bilateral ties, Ukraine & Indo-Pacific

    By PTI

    WASHINGTON, D.C: Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra has met Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman here and discussed Indo-US ties and ways to further advance their bilateral security and regional cooperation, the situation in the Indo-Pacific region and Ukraine.

    During the meeting on Monday, Sherman underscored the US’s commitment to the people of Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal war of aggression, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said.

    “They also discussed ways to improve regional and multilateral coordination, including via the Quad partnership in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.

    The Quad or Quadrilateral Security Dialogue comprising India, the United States, Japan and Australia was set up in 2017 to counter China’s aggressive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region.

    The two leaders also “reaffirmed our shared commitment to democratic principles, regional security and prosperity, and strengthening people-to-people ties,” Price said.

    “Great meeting Indian Foreign Secretary @AmbVMKwatra to discuss #USIndia relations and advance our security and regional cooperation throughout the Indo-Pacific region and the world,” Sherman tweeted.

    India, the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China’s rising military manoeuvring in the resource-rich region.

    China claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it. Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea. China also has territorial disputes with Japan in the East China Sea.

    Kwatra is on an official trip to the city. He arrived in Washington DC from New York on Sunday night.

    WASHINGTON, D.C: Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra has met Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman here and discussed Indo-US ties and ways to further advance their bilateral security and regional cooperation, the situation in the Indo-Pacific region and Ukraine.

    During the meeting on Monday, Sherman underscored the US’s commitment to the people of Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal war of aggression, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said.

    “They also discussed ways to improve regional and multilateral coordination, including via the Quad partnership in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.

    The Quad or Quadrilateral Security Dialogue comprising India, the United States, Japan and Australia was set up in 2017 to counter China’s aggressive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region.

    The two leaders also “reaffirmed our shared commitment to democratic principles, regional security and prosperity, and strengthening people-to-people ties,” Price said.

    “Great meeting Indian Foreign Secretary @AmbVMKwatra to discuss #USIndia relations and advance our security and regional cooperation throughout the Indo-Pacific region and the world,” Sherman tweeted.

    India, the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China’s rising military manoeuvring in the resource-rich region.

    China claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it. Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea. China also has territorial disputes with Japan in the East China Sea.

    Kwatra is on an official trip to the city. He arrived in Washington DC from New York on Sunday night.

  • Arunachal’s Siang river turns muddy; construction activity in upstream China speculated

    By PTI

    ITANAGAR: The water in Arunachal’s Siang river has turned muddy, an indication of possible construction activity in upstream China, alarming people in the border state, officials said.

    According to the officials in Pasighat, the headquarters of East Siang district, the river, which is the state’s principal waterway, changed its colour and turned turbid some three days ago.

    “There is mud flowing in the water, which is unnatural given the fact that the region received no rain in the past few days. We are monitoring the situation with help from officials of the water resources department,” East Siang Deputy Commissioner (DC) Tayi Taggu stated.

    China, where the river is called Yarlung Tsangpo, might have engaged in “earth-cutting of some kind”, resulting in mud flowing in the river, Taggu said.

    “It seems some construction activities are underway in the upstream of the river, which originates in China. Landslides in the upper reaches could also be a reason,” the DC said.

    Fishermen and locals dependent on the river for agricultural purposes are worried over the sudden change of colour of Siang water.

    “The heavy slag in the water may kill aquatic lives. Farmers draw water from the river, too. Also, our domestic animals drink water from the river. We are worried that this might impact livelihood of many,” Migom Pertin, a local at Pasighat, said.

    Earlier, too, the river had turned muddy on occasions.

    In December 2017, the river had turned black, triggered panic in the state.

    Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu had, at that time, personally monitored the condition of the river and requested the Centre to look into the matter.

    India had then taken up the matter with China.

    ITANAGAR: The water in Arunachal’s Siang river has turned muddy, an indication of possible construction activity in upstream China, alarming people in the border state, officials said.

    According to the officials in Pasighat, the headquarters of East Siang district, the river, which is the state’s principal waterway, changed its colour and turned turbid some three days ago.

    “There is mud flowing in the water, which is unnatural given the fact that the region received no rain in the past few days. We are monitoring the situation with help from officials of the water resources department,” East Siang Deputy Commissioner (DC) Tayi Taggu stated.

    China, where the river is called Yarlung Tsangpo, might have engaged in “earth-cutting of some kind”, resulting in mud flowing in the river, Taggu said.

    “It seems some construction activities are underway in the upstream of the river, which originates in China. Landslides in the upper reaches could also be a reason,” the DC said.

    Fishermen and locals dependent on the river for agricultural purposes are worried over the sudden change of colour of Siang water.

    “The heavy slag in the water may kill aquatic lives. Farmers draw water from the river, too. Also, our domestic animals drink water from the river. We are worried that this might impact livelihood of many,” Migom Pertin, a local at Pasighat, said.

    Earlier, too, the river had turned muddy on occasions.

    In December 2017, the river had turned black, triggered panic in the state.

    Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu had, at that time, personally monitored the condition of the river and requested the Centre to look into the matter.

    India had then taken up the matter with China.

  • Direct flights between India, China should start: Chinese envoy

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: Direct flights between India and China should start, and the governments of the two countries must work together on this, Chinese Consul General in Kolkata Zha Liyou said.

    Flight services between the two neighbours have been disrupted ever since coronavirus was first reported in Wuhan in late 2019, and subsequently spread across the world.

    The flight disruption posed a major challenge for hundreds of Indian students as well as families of Indians working in China and businessmen, though Beijing recently lifted the visa ban after about three years.

    “Direct air connectivity between India and China should start and both governments should work towards this. A number of Indian students are now keen to return to China,” Liyou said at a press briefing on Wednesday evening.

    About 23,000 Indian students, mostly studying medicine who were stranded back home due to China’s covid visa bans, made preparations to travel to China to rejoin their colleges but experienced difficulties due to the absence of direct flights.

    Indian passengers are currently travelling to China through Sri Lanka, Nepal and Myanmar, shelling out exorbitant amount of money on steep airfares.

    India and China have been in talks for several months to resume limited flight services, but the negotiations made little headway.

    KOLKATA: Direct flights between India and China should start, and the governments of the two countries must work together on this, Chinese Consul General in Kolkata Zha Liyou said.

    Flight services between the two neighbours have been disrupted ever since coronavirus was first reported in Wuhan in late 2019, and subsequently spread across the world.

    The flight disruption posed a major challenge for hundreds of Indian students as well as families of Indians working in China and businessmen, though Beijing recently lifted the visa ban after about three years.

    “Direct air connectivity between India and China should start and both governments should work towards this. A number of Indian students are now keen to return to China,” Liyou said at a press briefing on Wednesday evening.

    About 23,000 Indian students, mostly studying medicine who were stranded back home due to China’s covid visa bans, made preparations to travel to China to rejoin their colleges but experienced difficulties due to the absence of direct flights.

    Indian passengers are currently travelling to China through Sri Lanka, Nepal and Myanmar, shelling out exorbitant amount of money on steep airfares.

    India and China have been in talks for several months to resume limited flight services, but the negotiations made little headway.

  • Return to status quo ante needed for situation to become normal in Eastern Ladakh: IAF chief

    “All preparedness in terms of infrastructure building, equipment, training and tactics is a continuous effort, irrespective of whether we see any belligerence on the part of the Chinese or not,” he ad

  • Appropriate measures put in place to deal with Chinese activities along LAC: IAF chief 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on Tuesday said the Indian Air Force has taken appropriate “non-escalatory” measures to deal with Chinese activities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.

    Addressing a press conference ahead of the Air Force Day on October 8, he also said that recent developments at the global stage show the need for a strong military to ward off any challenge.

    Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari said the IAF has been preparing for all kinds of security challenges including “worst-case scenario” and asserted that it is fully ready to face any situation.

    “We continue to be operationally deployed and ever vigilant,” he said, adding the IAF continues to monitor all Chinese activities along the LAC.

    When asked about recent incidents of Chinese fighter jets flying close to the LAC, he said appropriate non-escalatory measures have been taken and a message was sent to the neighbouring country.

    Our overall preparation is a continuous process irrespective of Chinese belligerence, he said.

    To a question, he said the benchmark for the situation to return to normal in eastern Ladakh would be to return to status quo ante and completion of disengagement in all friction points.

    Referring to the ambitious theaterisation plan, the Air Chief Marshal said the IAF understands imperatives of joint planning and execution with sister forces for future wars.

    We are not opposed to tri-services integration; our reservations are relating to only certain structures, he said.

    The chief of Air Staff also said that the IAF is in sync with the government on self-reliance in defence production.

    NEW DELHI: Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on Tuesday said the Indian Air Force has taken appropriate “non-escalatory” measures to deal with Chinese activities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.

    Addressing a press conference ahead of the Air Force Day on October 8, he also said that recent developments at the global stage show the need for a strong military to ward off any challenge.

    Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari said the IAF has been preparing for all kinds of security challenges including “worst-case scenario” and asserted that it is fully ready to face any situation.

    “We continue to be operationally deployed and ever vigilant,” he said, adding the IAF continues to monitor all Chinese activities along the LAC.

    When asked about recent incidents of Chinese fighter jets flying close to the LAC, he said appropriate non-escalatory measures have been taken and a message was sent to the neighbouring country.

    Our overall preparation is a continuous process irrespective of Chinese belligerence, he said.

    To a question, he said the benchmark for the situation to return to normal in eastern Ladakh would be to return to status quo ante and completion of disengagement in all friction points.

    Referring to the ambitious theaterisation plan, the Air Chief Marshal said the IAF understands imperatives of joint planning and execution with sister forces for future wars.

    We are not opposed to tri-services integration; our reservations are relating to only certain structures, he said.

    The chief of Air Staff also said that the IAF is in sync with the government on self-reliance in defence production.

  • China remains a formidable challenge and has increased its presence: Indian Navy Chief

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: “While China is expanding its presence around India, Pakistan in the West has continued with the modernisation of the Navy,” said Admiral R Hari Kumar here on Tuesday.  Elaborating on “Security Challenges” that India faces, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) pointed out that while competition is being played out on a daily basis – at times testing limits – but without escalating into armed action, a war with potential adversaries can never be ruled out.

    In this regard, “China remains a formidable challenge and has increased its presence, not only along our land borders but also in the maritime domain by leveraging anti-piracy operations to normalise its naval presence in the Indian Ocean Region.”

    To the West, Pakistan, despite economic constraints, has continued its military modernisation, especially its Navy, which is on track to becoming a 50-platform force, added CNS.

    The CNS specified that China began its Indian Ocean maritime deployment in 2008 using anti-piracy operations “as the reason” and since then there has been a continuous presence in the region. “At any point we have anything between 5-8 Chinese Navy units, be it warships or research vessels and a host of Chinese fishing vessels operating in the IOR. We keep a watch on them and see how they are undertaking their activities in the IOR,” he said.

    While “China now has a base in Djibouti, and have been involved in development of various ports in the IOR, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Pakistan and so many other countries, the Navy Chief said, India is also building its capability but it is “not based on a nation, it is based upon our requirements to protect, preserve and promote our national interests.”

    With the structuring of our force and developing the capability, “these get factored and enable us to keep the Indian Ocean under surveillance. We have aircraft sorties, ships deployed almost 24X7 to keep an eye on the IOR, Adm Kumar said.

    Chief of Naval Staff was delivering the Keynote Address for the plenary session on India’s Naval Revolution: Becoming an Ocean Power at the 49th National Management Convention, All India Management Association. He also talked about the reliability of the weapons of Russian origin and its assistance in the technological realm.

    Talking about the Russian equipment, he said they are reliable and while there have been teething issues with some of the systems; they have been getting good support from Russia.

    Russia supported us with some technologies which we are not able to get from any other sources, Adm Kumar said, “In that sense, we have really been receiving good support from Russia over the years.”

    While the conventional military challenges persist, CNS  pointed towards terrorism which “remains a major security threat, as it continues to evolve in shape, scale and size.”  Staying one step ahead of such an invisible enemy, who will constantly innovate tactics, enabled by niche technologies, is a challenge that persists.

    NEW DELHI: “While China is expanding its presence around India, Pakistan in the West has continued with the modernisation of the Navy,” said Admiral R Hari Kumar here on Tuesday.  Elaborating on “Security Challenges” that India faces, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) pointed out that while competition is being played out on a daily basis – at times testing limits – but without escalating into armed action, a war with potential adversaries can never be ruled out.

    In this regard, “China remains a formidable challenge and has increased its presence, not only along our land borders but also in the maritime domain by leveraging anti-piracy operations to normalise its naval presence in the Indian Ocean Region.”

    To the West, Pakistan, despite economic constraints, has continued its military modernisation, especially its Navy, which is on track to becoming a 50-platform force, added CNS.

    The CNS specified that China began its Indian Ocean maritime deployment in 2008 using anti-piracy operations “as the reason” and since then there has been a continuous presence in the region. “At any point we have anything between 5-8 Chinese Navy units, be it warships or research vessels and a host of Chinese fishing vessels operating in the IOR. We keep a watch on them and see how they are undertaking their activities in the IOR,” he said.

    While “China now has a base in Djibouti, and have been involved in development of various ports in the IOR, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Pakistan and so many other countries, the Navy Chief said, India is also building its capability but it is “not based on a nation, it is based upon our requirements to protect, preserve and promote our national interests.”

    With the structuring of our force and developing the capability, “these get factored and enable us to keep the Indian Ocean under surveillance. We have aircraft sorties, ships deployed almost 24X7 to keep an eye on the IOR, Adm Kumar said.

    Chief of Naval Staff was delivering the Keynote Address for the plenary session on India’s Naval Revolution: Becoming an Ocean Power at the 49th National Management Convention, All India Management Association. He also talked about the reliability of the weapons of Russian origin and its assistance in the technological realm.

    Talking about the Russian equipment, he said they are reliable and while there have been teething issues with some of the systems; they have been getting good support from Russia.

    Russia supported us with some technologies which we are not able to get from any other sources, Adm Kumar said, “In that sense, we have really been receiving good support from Russia over the years.”

    While the conventional military challenges persist, CNS  pointed towards terrorism which “remains a major security threat, as it continues to evolve in shape, scale and size.”  Staying one step ahead of such an invisible enemy, who will constantly innovate tactics, enabled by niche technologies, is a challenge that persists.