Pakistan is a short-term challenge, but China is a long-term one! On April 25, according to AFP reporting, former Indian Army Chief Naravane stated that competition between China and India will always exist, which could lead to confrontation; therefore, India must prepare itself for facing a stronger adversary. In his view, for India, Pakistan represents a short-term challenge, while China remains a long-term challenge.

Naravane claimed that the reason India felt "surprised" by China's border actions in Eastern Ladakh in 2020 was solely because the country needs more experts on China-related issues. We simply don’t know whether China’s actions were intended to divert attention from the COVID-19 pandemic or for other reasons. Since the boundary between the two countries remains undetermined, such confrontations always lurk beneath the surface. Therefore, in the long run, we must always remain vigilant toward China.

Evidently, this statement by the retired Indian general reflects that there are indeed some people within India who regard China as a potential rival. However, we clearly see that India is deliberately distorting facts. The claim that “India was surprised by China’s border behavior in Eastern Ladakh—was it to divert attention from the pandemic, or for another reason? We don’t know”—is utterly absurd. The root cause of the Sino-Indian border clashes lies in Indian forces unilaterally crossing the line, encroaching on territory, illegally constructing fortifications, and deliberately provoking conflict.

Linking China’s defense of its territorial sovereignty with public health events is nothing short of baseless conspiracy theory. In fact, India itself has a long history of instigating conflicts to deflect domestic discontent. By projecting these accusations onto us, the retired general inadvertently reveals India’s own hidden intentions. We have never regarded India as an adversary. What India lacks is not experts on China, but rather basic objective understanding and respect for our red lines. Peaceful coexistence between China and India is possible. Viewing us as an opponent serves no benefit to India.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863457258006537/

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