China criticises Pentagon report, accuses US of straining India relations

Beijing: China has accused the US of "distorting" its national defense policy regarding its relations with India. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has strongly protested against a recent report by the US Department of Defense (Pentagon), saying it misrepresents India-China relations. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular press briefing on Thursday that "China views its relations with India from a strategic and long-term perspective." He added that "China does not determine its relations with India with any third country in mind."

Lin Jian was making this statement in response to a question about whether China could exploit the easing of tensions in disputed border areas between India and China to try to drive a wedge between India and the United States. The Pentagon report indicates that China is concerned about the growing closeness between India and the United States and could use the easing of border tensions as a strategic move. However, China has categorically rejected this assessment, stating that the US report misrepresents its defense approach.

China Furious Over Pentagon Report

The Pentagon report states that "the core goal of China's long-term strategy is to achieve the 'great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation' by 2049." The report further states that "toward this goal, Beijing not only seeks to enhance its global influence but also moves towards building a world-class military capable of fighting and winning wars." China has categorically rejected this Pentagon report. Furthermore, the Pentagon report states that China has identified three so-called "core interests" in its national strategy, which it considers beyond any negotiation or compromise. These include, first, complete control of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), second, the country's economic development, and third, the protection and expansion of China's sovereignty and territorial claims.

The Pentagon report also makes several statements regarding Arunachal Pradesh. It states that Beijing has included disputed areas such as Taiwan, the South China Sea, the Senkaku Islands, and India's Arunachal Pradesh within these core interests. Maintaining peace with India on the LAC is part of China's strategy.

The report further states that "In October 2024, the Indian leadership announced an agreement with China to disengage from the remaining standoff points along the LAC, two days before a meeting between President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS summit. The meeting between Xi Jinping and Modi marked the beginning of high-level meetings between the two countries, where the parties discussed border management and next steps for bilateral relations, including direct flights, visa facilitation, and exchange of academics and journalists. China may be seeking to take advantage of the reduced tensions along the LAC to stabilize bilateral relations and prevent a deepening of US-India relations."