China Slams Explosive US Report Claiming Plot To Sabotage US-India Ties

China has criticized a recent Pentagon report that accuses Beijing of manipulating reduced border tensions with India to weaken New Delhi's partnership with Washington, while simultaneously strengthening military ties with Pakistan. The report, presented to the U.S. Congress earlier this week, has drawn sharp responses from Chinese officials, who dismissed it as misleading and politically motivated.

At a press briefing in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian condemned the document, saying it "distorts China's defense policy, sows discord between China and other countries, and seeks to justify America's pursuit of military dominance." Lin emphasized that China firmly rejects the conclusions of the report, which he described as an attempt to provoke confrontation rather than promote stability.

Echoing this stance, Defence Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang also denounced the Pentagon's findings. He argued that Washington has a habit of issuing such reports annually, interfering in China's internal affairs and misrepresenting its military development. According to Zhang, the report is filled with "erroneous understandings and geopolitical biases," exaggerating what the U.S. calls the "China threat" in order to mislead the international community. He urged Washington to stop fabricating narratives that fuel antagonism.

India-China Relations and Border Issues

Responding to specific claims about India-China ties, Lin Jian stressed that Beijing approaches its relationship with New Delhi from a "strategic and long-term perspective." He said China remains committed to enhancing communication, building trust, and managing differences responsibly to ensure a stable bilateral relationship. On the sensitive issue of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Lin noted that the border situation is "generally stable" and that communication channels between the two countries remain open. He rejected outside commentary on the matter as "groundless and irresponsible."

The Pentagon report had suggested that China is leveraging the easing of tensions along the LAC to stabilize relations with India while preventing closer U.S.-India cooperation. It cited the October 2024 meeting between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the BRICS Summit, which followed an agreement to disengage from remaining standoff sites. The report highlighted subsequent high-level engagements, including discussions on border management, direct flights, visa facilitation, and academic exchanges.

Expanding 'Core Interests'

The U.S. document also pointed to China's broadened definition of "core interests," now encompassing Taiwan, the South China Sea, the Senkaku Islands, and India's Arunachal Pradesh. Beijing refers to Arunachal as "Zangnan" or southern Tibet, a claim India has consistently rejected. The Pentagon argued that China's leadership views territorial reunification, particularly with Taiwan, as central to its vision of national rejuvenation, though it remains uncertain about the military's readiness to achieve such goals in the face of U.S. intervention.

Cooperation with Pakistan and Nuclear Build-Up

Another focal point of the report is China's deepening defense cooperation with Pakistan. It notes Beijing's supply of advanced platforms such as frigates, drones, and J-10C fighter jets, with 20 of 36 aircraft already delivered by mid-2025. The report alleges that China and Pakistan coordinate "grey-zone" tactics to pressure India without triggering open conflict, citing Operation Sindoor in May as an example of joint efforts involving cyber operations and intelligence sharing.

Finally, the Pentagon flagged China's rapid nuclear expansion, estimating its arsenal at over 600 warheads by the end of 2024, with growth of about 100 warheads annually. If this pace continues, China could possess around 1,000 nuclear weapons by 2030, deployable across land, sea, and air platforms.

With inputs from PTI