While the US-India military relationship is at its best level in years, the mistrust between China and India is at an all-time high, a top US admiral has said and alleged that Beijing’s lack of transparency and duplicitous actions in the Indian Ocean region threaten stability and security there.
Admiral John C. Aquilino also commended India’s efforts to protect its northern border during a months-long standoff with China.
“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,” Mr Aquilino told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday during the confirmation hearing for commander, US Indo-Pacific Command.
“China’s posture initiatives in both Gwadar, Pakistan, and Hambantota, Sri Lanka, also cause India 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 a written response to a set of questions from Senators for the confirmation hearing.
