India needs to be wary of China's military modernisation: Army

New Delhi, July 5 (PTI) - With China rapidly modernising
its military, India needs to be wary of likely implications,
which will impact the nation's security, Army chief Deepak
Kapoor warned Thursday.

"We need to take note of likely implications of China's
military modernisation, improvement in infrastructure in Tibet
Autonomous Region and other related issues, which could impact
our security in the long run," Kapoor said here.

Delivering the 'National Security Lecture' at the
strategic affairs think tank Institute of Defence Studies and
Analyses (I.D.S.A.), Kapoor said China, the largest and the
most powerful neighbour, and a rapidly rising power, continued
on the path of high economic growth, combined with rapid
military modernisation.

In his lecture on "Changing Global Security Environment
With Specific Reference to Our Region and its Impact on the
Indian Army", he said, "We have differences related to the
boundary question, which are being resolved by special
representatives of both the governments."

Pointing out that regular visits at the highest level
have further added to the dimensions of constructive
engagement and mutual confidence in relationship between the
two neighbours, the General said economic engagements and
continued efforts to amicably resolve boundary issues had
ensured peace along the border.

Later, to a query from reporters, Kapoor said Indian
Army was not aware of any build up of China's People's
Liberation Army (P.L.A.) in Tibet, as some reports suggested,
for an adventure inside Indian territory after Beijing
Olympics.

On recent reports of incursions by P.L.A. in Arunachal
Pradesh, Sikkim and other areas along the Line of Actual
Control (L.A.C.), the Army chief reiterated the transgressions
occured due to differing perceptions of L.A.C., and at times
due to confusion among troops on ground, especially when units
changed and new units got posted there.

"But that is why we have boundary negotiating teams
that have been established by both India and China, which are
having a constant dialogue on a regular basis," he said.

Stating that transgressions of a minor nature do not
get resolved at either flag meetings, which are held
periodically, or at meetings between interlocutors from both
sides, Kapoor ruled out commencement of hostilities due to
differing perceptions between troops on ground. PTI