Dharamsala, March 30: Noting that the Chinese military has upgraded its “force projection capability” along the northern borders, India has said “necessary steps” have also been taken to upgrade infrastructure and force levels on its side of the border.
The rapid military modernisation in the Tibet region bordering India and Xinjiang has given the Chinese military strategic operational flexibility in the region, observes the ministry of defence’s latest annual report.
“India also remains conscious and alert about the implications of China’s military modernisation… rapid infrastructure development in the Tibet Autonomous Region and Xinjiang province has considerably upgraded China’s military force projection capability and strategic operational flexibility,” the Defence Ministry said in its 2009-10 annual report released on Monday.
On the other hand, the report reportedly said that based on strategic and cooperative partnership, relations with China progressed well during the last year. It said there was convergence of views and actions on various issues in international fora and a regular mechanism for exchanges in military sphere has been established.
In its 2008-09 report, the Ministry said that China’s defence modernisation needed to be monitored carefully in the foreseeable future for the implications it can have on the security and defence of the country.
