Underlining that understanding China is “our most important national security challenge” and warning against its “possible game plan” and the “deepening and evolving China-Pak relationship,” Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria said Tuesday. that the Chinese have “fully deployed” their air assets to support the troops along the Royal Line of Control in Ladakh.
The IAF chief, speaking at an event organized by the International Vivekananda Foundation, said that while the strength of the Chinese army’s presence in the region is well known, its air force “has been very strong” and “we have taken all the measures that we have are obliged to accept and attend to such situations ”.
The Chinese, he said, also “have a large presence at the second tier, and a large presence of radars and surface-to-air missiles, and surface-to-surface missiles in the reconnaissance area.”
When asked about the capabilities of the Indian forces to meet such a challenge, Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria said: “Do we have enough today? We have enough. Otherwise, it would have had a different situation in the north. “
“Because of the way the three forces have been activated and deployed, there is no need to worry about whether we have enough to do our bit to maintain the situation and ensure that we do not lose territory or sovereignty. So on that subject, we shouldn’t have any doubts. “
He said that “we have responded appropriately” when it comes to air power, and “whatever actions we have taken, some very serious and forceful actions, that have had results, and we can see that they have stopped in their tracks and are continuing there. ”.
With the Sukhoi-30MKIs carrying BrahMos missiles and refueling in the air, “there is no target within the Pearl Chain (Chinese military and commercial facilities in the Indian Ocean) that cannot be targeted.”
Saying that “South Asia is now becoming the hotbed of competition between the dominant powers,” he said that “rapidly evolving uncertainties and instability on the global geopolitical front have provided China, in particular, with an opportunity to demonstrate its growing power, and indirectly it has. ” it also revealed the inadequate effective contribution of the great powers to global security, which was understood as a norm… this has generated confusion and insecurity among traditional allies and nations seeking great powers ”.
“We are now witnessing an increase in attempts to alter the status quo, through mindless disregard or selective interpretation of established international laws and norms … China’s aspirations are clearly on the global front, and the Regional domination is part of the path to global leadership they aspire to, ”he said.
On Pakistan, the IAF chief said “it is increasingly becoming a pawn of Chinese politics” and is under the debt of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Responding to a question about whether there could be possible joint exercises such as the Malabar naval exercise involving India, Japan, the United States and Australia, the four members of the Quad said: “The Quad as execution has not happened that far, but as an action plan, it may come out soon. “
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