The developing military alliance between China and Pakistan, which was made clear during Operation Sindoor, was a major topic of discussion at the most recent meeting of the Indian Parliament’s Standing Committee on External Affairs.
The committee’s members, who included both ruling and opposition MPs, voiced worries about how this partnership might affect India’s security, particularly in light of the Indian Ocean region and the larger geopolitics of South Asia.
As demonstrated during Operation Sindoor, the committee recognized the extent of China’s military assistance to Pakistan. A vast array of cutting-edge weapons, such as fighter jets, drones, air defense systems, and naval capabilities, have been provided to Pakistan by China. This military equipment, which is the foundation of Pakistan’s defense capabilities, was used extensively during the most recent battle. The mission itself demonstrated the two militaries’ operational cooperation and revealed Pakistan’s significant reliance on Chinese-supplied equipment.
India launched Operation Sindoor, which entailed precise strikes against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, in reaction to a significant terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
The operation exposed Pakistan’s defense weaknesses, especially its reliance on Chinese technology, even as it showcased India’s military prowess. The war highlighted China and Pakistan’s ongoing military collaboration, with China offering both equipment and political backing in international fora.
Concerned by Bangladesh’s alleged growing closeness to China, some committee members suggested that a strategic triangle consisting of Bangladesh, Pakistan, and China would form against Indian interests. This was viewed as a possible new axis that would make the security situation in India even more complex.
One persistent issue was India’s defense spending as a percentage of GDP, which stands at 1.9%, the lowest level in decades. Members contended that this amount of money might not be enough to keep up with China’s quick budget increases and military modernization. Everyone agreed that, given the expanding military ties between China and Pakistan, India needed to boost its defense expenditure in order to secure long-term capabilities growth.
Navy and Ministry of Defense officials highlighted continuous modernization initiatives and presented long-term strategies to improve naval capabilities. With guarantees that the Navy is ready to take on any challenge presented by hostile alliances, the Indian Navy’s vital role in defending the nation’s strategic and economic interests in the Indian Ocean was emphasized.
Background information on Chinese research and survey vessel operations in the Indian Ocean was given by the external affairs ministry, which also mentioned that these activities are regularly observed and that diplomatic actions are taken when necessary in accordance with international law.
Deep concern over the changing China-Pakistan military alliance and its effects on India’s security was evident in the parliamentary panel’s talks. In order to offset the rising strategic alignment between China and Pakistan, the committee acknowledged the urgent need for more defense spending, faster modernization, and a strong Indian Ocean strategy. The meeting emphasized the need to continuously review and improve India’s readiness to handle new threats in a fast changing regional security environment.
