Former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Anil Chauhan said on Saturday that China is a long-term and wide-ranging challenge for India.
The border dispute between the two countries remains unresolved, and there is still no common understanding of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
He said India-China relations cannot be held hostage to the border dispute alone.
Both countries are major powers in Asia, large economies and ancient civilisations. Therefore, India must continue its dialogue with China.
Chauhan made these remarks while delivering a lecture on ‘Threats and Challenges to India’s Security’ at an event held at the Teen Murti Bhavan complex in New Delhi.
Reasons for tension at the border
The former CDS said that maintaining stability along the border requires constant vigilance, credible capabilities, clear agreements and consistent adherence to them.
He said that, besides the border dispute, differences in perceptions, infrastructure development and military deployments along the border can increase the risk of tension and escalation.
Speaking about China, he said, “Our northern neighbour presents a completely different and long-term comprehensive challenge. The border dispute is still unresolved, and there is no common understanding of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).”
Statement after Doval-Wang talks
Chauhan’s remarks came after National Security Adviser Ajit Doval held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing. The discussions covered border demarcation and the continuation of cross-border cooperation.
The talks were held under the Special Representatives dialogue mechanism. They took place a few weeks before the possible visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to India for the upcoming BRICS summit, scheduled for September 12 and 13.
The former CDS also referred to newspaper reports published on Saturday about the possible setting up of a hotline and holding Corps Commander-level talks in the Northeast. He described the move as a “welcome development”.
India and China will have to talk together
General Chauhan (Retd.) said India and China are both partners and competitors. The two countries have different views on the regional and global order, but dialogue between them remains necessary.
He said, “We are doing exactly this through the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and now BRICS. The future of Asia will largely depend on how the simultaneous rise of India and China progresses.”
Instability in neighbouring countries is also a challenge
During his lecture, the former CDS also discussed the various security challenges facing India and how they can be addressed.
He described instability in several neighbouring countries as another threat that India needs to manage.
