China is real threat, says Lord Desai

Tribune News Service

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Panchkula, December 14

While Pakistan will continue to be a nuisance rather had a serious military threat, China remains the major challenge to India’s security and for engaging China, India has to have cooperation with other Asian countries, many of which already have disputes with that country. Stating this here today, Lord Meghnad Desai, member of the British House of Lords, and an economist said India’s problem with China could only be solved by joining hands with other countries.

He said the Indo-US nuclear deal was not about the supply of fuel but to come to each other’s aid in case of a conflict with China. Similarly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s outreach to Japan was aimed in the same direction.

He was delivering a talk on ‘Rediscovery of India’s geo-political space post Indo-Pakistan war 1971’ at the Veterans Remembrance Day organised by the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement to commemorate the 43rd anniversary of India’s victory.

Desai said the 1971 war was a brilliantly and carefully crafted campaign that had achieved the desired objectives, despite intense International pressure. The lesson from the war was that India had to prepare to become a serious Asian power and to shift focus to its northern and eastern frontiers.

Pointing out that governments in India have been shy of being proud of the armed forces, which have not got due recognition.

Former Chief of the Army Staff Gen VP Malik said while economic ties between India and China have grown, unsettled borders between the two countries remain a cause of worry. Pointing out that Pakistan-China collusion is a major strategic concern, Malik added that India should not only have friendship with countries around China but also develop greater influence among its neighbouring nations.