Naravane expresses concern over China\`s BRI_ lauds India\`s ties with Bangladesh and Nepal

Highlighting the perils of China's mega connectivity plans like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)_ Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund (MM) Naravane has said_ the project aims to "create regional dependencies".

At Assam Rifles-United Services institution joint annual seminar_ Naravane said_ "regional Security Environment is characterized by Chinese belligerence in the Indo-Pacific_ its hostility towards weaker nations and relentless drive to create regional dependencies through initiatives like the BRI. The resultant Sino-US rivalry has created regional imbalances & instability".

BRI or the One Belt One Road (OBOR) is Beijing's global infrastructure project_ one whose key crucial component passes via Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The project has known to create a debt crisis in many parts of the world_ especially smaller countries that are unable to pay it_ losing sovereignty over territories.

The Army Chief pointed out_ "Regional and internal connectivity is acutely linked to security" and "it is central to unleashing the potential of the North East and balancing the influence of China".

The Indian Army Chief explained that the "rising footprints of China in India’s neighbourhood" and its "attempts to unilaterally alter the status-quo along our disputed borders have created an environment of confrontation & mutual distrust."

2020 was a year that saw an aggressive China_ not only with India with which it had a multi-month long standoff at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh but also with countries like Japan_ Taiwan_ ASEAN countries in the South China Sea_ and even far off countries like Canada and Australia.

On Bangladesh_ the Army Chief lauded the "upswing in our relations"_ saying_ "the sight of the Tri-Service Contingent from Bangladesh marching down Rajpath on Republic Day bodes well for our future relations" although he expresses "serious concerns" over growing radicalization in the society.

India is celebrating Swarnim Vijay Varsh to commemorate its victory over Pakistan in the 1971 War for Liberation of Bangladesh. Indian PM Narendra Modi will be going to Dhaka in March to take part in the 50th year anniversary celebration of the country's Independence.

Naravane spoke on Nepal_ calling the country "our traditional long term partner" but one "which has witnessed heavy Chinese investment" and "is going through a period of political volatility".

General Naravane also spoke about the counter-terror insurgent operations with Myanmar Army code-named --Operation SUNRISE due to which he said both sides have seen "growing cooperation and the synergy between the soldiers on the ground with reasonable operational dividends".