WASHINGTON (CU)_The mistrust between China and India is currently at an all-time high, and Beijing’s deceitful actions and lack of transparency in the Indian Ocean has threatened the stability and security in the region, a top US admiral said.
“The mistrust between China and India is at an all-time high. In addition to the rupture of bilateral relations as a result of the LAC (Line of Actual Control) skirmish, India is deeply suspicious of Chinese activities as part of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative,” Admiral John C Aquilino told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday (23 March).
Making these remarks during the confirmation hearing for commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, Aquilino added that the approach taken by Beijing on both Gwadar, Pakistan and Hambantota, Sri Lanka have also been causes for India’s concern.
“As is the case across the Indo-Pacific, PRC’s lack of transparency and duplicitous actions in the Indian Ocean region threaten stability and security in the region,” he said.
In the matter of China’s actions along India’s borders, Aquilino commended India’s efforts to protect its northern border, adding that New Delhi needs to collaborate with allies and partners to build deterrence.
According to the US admiral, military relations between India and the United States is at its best level in years, with stronger bilateral and multilateral engagements and exercises, and high-profile joint operations.
“The conclusion of enabling agreements over the past several years has allowed us to operate more closely, and we are able to work together more than ever before to secure a free and open Indo-Pacific,” he said.
Aquilino said that if confirmed, he would continue to strengthen the momentum established by his predecessor, while supporting India’s defence transformation efforts, promoting interoperability by encouraging the South Asian nation’s acquisition of US equipment, launching information sharing and security agreements, and also expanding military-to-military contacts through dialogue and working-level exchanges.
