China deploys advanced CSS-5 MRBMs on Indian border: US

From Lalit K Jha
Washington, Aug 25 (PTI) China has deployed more advanced
and survivable solid-fuel nuclear capable CSS-5 MRBM missiles
against India as a 'deterrent posture', Pentagon has said
warning that a high degree of mistrust continues to strain
their bilateral ties.
The PLA has replaced liquid-fueled, nuclear-capable
CSS-2 IRBMs with more advanced and survivable solid-fueled
CSS-5 MRBM systems to strengthen its deterrent posture
relative to India, the Pentagon has said in its annual
report on Chinese military build up to the Congress.
The report also says that Beijing is pumping in huge
investments on border infrastructure developments laying more
roads and rail network along the Sino-Indian border.
"Although this construction is primarily aimed at
facilitating economic development in western China, improved
roads could also support PLA border defense operations," it
said.
Pentagon said that New Delhi remains concerned by
China's close military ties with Pakistan and its growing
footprints in the Indian Ocean, Central Asia and Africa.
The report noted that Pakistan continued to be China's
primary customer for conventional weapons and sales to
Islamabad included newly rolled out JF-17 fighters with
production facilities, F-22P frigates with helicopters, early
warning and control aircraft, tanks, K-8 trainers, F-7
fighters, air-to-air missiles, anti-ship cruise missiles and
missile technologies.
On Sino-Indian ties, Pentagon said, that though
bilateral dialogue between the two nations increased, border
tensions remained an irritant.
"China deepened its ties with India through increased
trade and high-level dialogues in 2010, though border tensions
remained an irritant in the bilateral relationship. Bilateral
trade in 2010 reached nearly USD 60 billion," Pentagon said.
The two neighbours have held several rounds of dialogue
over disputed territorial claims. Sino-Indian defense ties
were institutionalised in 2007 with the establishment of an
Annual Defense Dialogue, the report said.
"Though India cancelled high-level military exchanges
following China's denial of visa to a senior Indian general in
2010, both sides agreed to resume exchanges in April 2011,"
the Pentagon said.
The US Defence Department in its assessment said that
Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao's trip to New Delhi in 2010
attempted to smooth over differences following a year of
uneasy relations, but he did not address serious irritants.
"A high degree of mistrust continues to strain the
bilateral relationship," it said.