IAF chief on China as a threat: ‘It’s time for mature statesmanship’

“We are in the same region, we have common interests. I don’t think that we should look at them as adversaries anymore,” Raha told reporters here in Alipurduar district. Yes, we had fought a conflict, we have borders to settle. I think it’s time for mature statesmanship from both the countries to reconcile on many issues... and cooperate (and) coordinate (for) development in the region,” he said when asked about the “threat” from China.

Stating that two rising economic or military powers can co-exist, he said, the adversarial stance should now change into a more friendly stance.

Earlier this month, the IAF chief was reported to have cited China’s growing influence in the Indian subcontinent as a major security challenge for India.

China’s increasing economic and military ties with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar are all strategic moves to contain India, he had said.

On security aspects, Raha admitted that India has some voids in the bordering North Eastern region. “As far as we are concerned, we have voids in terms of capabilities for security. We have some voids in the North East. So the government as well as the armed forces are working in a concerted manner to built infrastructure, roads, rail, air connectivity and advanced landing grounds,” he said.

The Air Force has already upgraded many of these advance landing grounds so that fixed wing aircraft of both the force and civil aviation can be operated, Raha added. When asked about potential security threats related to the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) corridor, the IAF chief said he doesn’t see any security threats. “If integration of the region is going to take place on economic development, trade, commerce, it’s perfectly alright. I think it’s a proposal which could benefit the entire region,” Raha said.

On new airbases, he said IAF have no plan to make new airbases in the region but revive the existing ones and trying to operate from civilian airports for operational flexibility. The IAF officer said construction and infrastructure build up will take place very rapidly so that connectivity, economic activities and condition of remote areas of the country improve.