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'India MUST remain vigilant of the evil designs of China'

Last updated on: March 15, 2012 16:48 IST
A flag of China's Communist Party

Former Army chief General V P Malik has observed that India must step up its vigil along the Chinese border in Arunachal Pradesh as its eastern neighbour might try to "forcefully occupy" Indian territories.

"India should remain vigilant of the evil designs of China which may forcibly occupy some of the territories in north-west and in Arunachal Pradesh," he said.

"India shares nearly a 4000 km-long border with China and the neighbouring country is making its presence felt in POK and Arunchal Pradesh, which the Chinese have been describing as South Tibet since last eight-nine years. And therefore India should remain alert along its borders," Malik said while addressing a symposium on 'How prepared is India to defend herself'.

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'Chinese defence budget has gone up by 11.5 pc'

Last updated on: March 15, 2012 16:48 IST
People's Liberation Army recruits at a military base

Besides Malik, former Air Chief Marshal A Y Tpinis and former Admiral Sushil Kumar also participated in the event.

"The Chinese defence budget has gone up by 11.5 percent and our policy matters are not even discussing this raise," he said.

The other two former service chiefs sought to underline the need to engage Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar to counter the threat and adopt a long-term foreign policy.

"We can't remain dependent on foreign suppliers and the government should encourage both manufacturers in government as well as private sectors. Our biggest strength is our men and all we need is sophisticated weapons to fight," Malik said.

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'India MUST remain vigilant'

Last updated on: March 15, 2012 16:48 IST
Indian soldiers atop T-72 tanks

Recalling the Kargil war, Admiral Sushil Kumar said the Indian Navy had deployed its ships in the Arabian Ocean though the war was fought on the hills by the Army and Air Force.

"But we succeeded in blocking their (Pakistan's) supply chain through the sea route," he said.

Former Air chief martial A Y Tipnis proposed the need for government-to-government, military-to-military and people-to-people interaction in the sub continent.

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Last updated on: March 15, 2012 16:48 IST
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