ID :
70040
Mon, 07/13/2009 - 10:03
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/70040
The shortlink copeid
India wary of Sino-Pak strategic link-up in occupied Kashmir
New Delhi, Jul 12 (PTI) India is wary of Chinese designs
to establish strategic link-up with Pakistan in parts of
northernmost state Jammu and Kashmir under occupation by both
the countries, saying this could have direct military
implications.
The Defence Ministry's Annual Report for 2008-09 tabled
in Rajya Sabha recently noted with concern the possibility of
China "enhancing connectivity with Pakistan through the
territory in Jammu and Kashmir, illegally occupied" by both
these nations.
While China seized 38,000 sq km in Jammu and Kashmir
during the 1962 war with India, Pakistan unilaterally ceded
another 5,120 sq km territory it had occupied in 1947-48 to
China under a pact in 1963.
However, the Annual Report has failed to mention Chinese
military posturing along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in
Arunachal Pradesh, of which Beijing claims about 90,000 sq km
territory as its own, and has positioned 30 military divisions
that indulged in frequent incursions across the LAC.
The report also expressed concern over the military
assistance China was extending to Pakistan and other countries
in the neighbourhood.
Seeking "greater transparency and openness" in China's
defence policy and posture in the backdrop of its fast growing
military prowess, India also said it will "engage China, while
taking all necessary measures to protect its national
security, territorial integrity and sovereignty."
Noting that Chinese defence expenditure (that stood at
seven per cent of its GDP) had grown by double digits over the
last two decades, the report referred to China's 2008 White
Paper on Defence that outlined its policy on developing
strategic missiles, space-based assets and blue-water naval
capabilities.
"China's stated objectives, in their White Paper, of
developing strategic missile and space-based assets and of
rapidly enhancing its blue-water navy to conduct operations in
distant waters, as well as the systematic upgrading of
infrastructure, reconnaissance and surveillance, quick
response and operational capabilities in the border areas,
will have an effect on the overall military environment in the
neighbourhood of India," the report said.
Stating that China's armed forces' modernisation need to
be "monitored carefully" for implications on India's defence
and security, the Defence Ministry, however, struck a
conciliatory note, saying it enjoyed a strategic and
cooperative partnership with China, which had further
progressed during high-level visits in 2008-09.
It observed with satisfaction Beijing's stated policy in
its White Paper "never to seek hegemony or engage in military
expansion in the future, no matter how developed it became."
The report said the two neighbours were engaged in
negotiations on the 4,500-km boundary dispute and have agreed
to maintain peace through mutually agreed confidence building
measures, pending final settlement. PTI NCB
to establish strategic link-up with Pakistan in parts of
northernmost state Jammu and Kashmir under occupation by both
the countries, saying this could have direct military
implications.
The Defence Ministry's Annual Report for 2008-09 tabled
in Rajya Sabha recently noted with concern the possibility of
China "enhancing connectivity with Pakistan through the
territory in Jammu and Kashmir, illegally occupied" by both
these nations.
While China seized 38,000 sq km in Jammu and Kashmir
during the 1962 war with India, Pakistan unilaterally ceded
another 5,120 sq km territory it had occupied in 1947-48 to
China under a pact in 1963.
However, the Annual Report has failed to mention Chinese
military posturing along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in
Arunachal Pradesh, of which Beijing claims about 90,000 sq km
territory as its own, and has positioned 30 military divisions
that indulged in frequent incursions across the LAC.
The report also expressed concern over the military
assistance China was extending to Pakistan and other countries
in the neighbourhood.
Seeking "greater transparency and openness" in China's
defence policy and posture in the backdrop of its fast growing
military prowess, India also said it will "engage China, while
taking all necessary measures to protect its national
security, territorial integrity and sovereignty."
Noting that Chinese defence expenditure (that stood at
seven per cent of its GDP) had grown by double digits over the
last two decades, the report referred to China's 2008 White
Paper on Defence that outlined its policy on developing
strategic missiles, space-based assets and blue-water naval
capabilities.
"China's stated objectives, in their White Paper, of
developing strategic missile and space-based assets and of
rapidly enhancing its blue-water navy to conduct operations in
distant waters, as well as the systematic upgrading of
infrastructure, reconnaissance and surveillance, quick
response and operational capabilities in the border areas,
will have an effect on the overall military environment in the
neighbourhood of India," the report said.
Stating that China's armed forces' modernisation need to
be "monitored carefully" for implications on India's defence
and security, the Defence Ministry, however, struck a
conciliatory note, saying it enjoyed a strategic and
cooperative partnership with China, which had further
progressed during high-level visits in 2008-09.
It observed with satisfaction Beijing's stated policy in
its White Paper "never to seek hegemony or engage in military
expansion in the future, no matter how developed it became."
The report said the two neighbours were engaged in
negotiations on the 4,500-km boundary dispute and have agreed
to maintain peace through mutually agreed confidence building
measures, pending final settlement. PTI NCB
