Gen Rawat wants talks with Taliban; Navy Chief: China rise unparalleled

New Delhi, January 9 

On a day when China said it had deployed nuclear-tipped missiles after a US warship “transgressed” into its territory, India Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba warned China’s rise was unparalleled.

Admiral Lanba, speaking at the ‘Raisina Dialogue’, said China had been in the Indian Ocean as part of anti-piracy patrol since 2008 and at any given time, their five-six warships were stationed there. “They have deployed submarines for anti-piracy, which is unusual. No navy has grown as big as China’s,” he said.

Admiral Philip Davidson, who heads US’ Indo-Pacific command, said, “Our strategy is not aimed at China containment.” Asked if the US was feeling the burden of maintaining presence in Asia, he said the US had been well supported by the UK, Japan, Australia and had jointly operated in South China Sea.

French Navy Chief Admiral Admiral Christophe Prazuck said if needed, France could back India in Indian Ocean. 

Earlier, Indian Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat said there should be negotiations with the Taliban, but without conditions. “Terrorism is here to stay as long as states continue to use it as a policy.” — TNS