War with China, Pakistan at the same time cannot be ruled out: Army chief

In a shocking statement Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Wednesday said a two-front war - where India has to fight Pakistan and China at the same time -cannot be ruled out.

His remarks come just a day after Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Xinping met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Xiamen in China.

"It is a "myth" to assume that "democracies or nuclear armed" neighbours don't go to war. As far as the northern adversary (China) is concerned, Salami slicing, taking over territory in a very gradual manner has started testing our limits of thresholdis something we have to be wary about and remain prepared for situations that could develop into conflicts," Rawat warned.

"Differences with Pakistan is irreconcilable," while China too will continue with its efforts to nibble away Indian territory through "salami slicing" and other measures.

The Army chief said, Pakistan could take "advantage" when India is engaged with China. "We have to be prepared for conflict on the northern and western borders."

General Rawat said believing there will no war - as some are akin to - affects the modernisation of forces. Such thinking affects budgetary allocation, he said and added that militaries don't only go to war, nations go to war for which we must prepare ourselves accordingly.

This isn't the first time the Army Chief has spoken about the possibility of a two-front war, but the timing of his remarks indicate how sensitive the Army remains to the situation with China.

OneIndia News