China's infra build-up near border with India 'alarming': Top US Gen

New Delhi: The destabilising and corrosive behaviour of Chinese Community Party (CCP) in the Indo-Pacific region is simply not helpful and some of the defence infrastructure that is being set up by China near its border with India is alarming, US Army's Pacific Commanding General Charles A. Flynn said on Wednesday.

The armed forces of India and China have been engaged in a tense border standoff in eastern Ladakh since May 5, 2020, when there was a violent clash between the two sides in the Pangong lake areas.

Last month, it came to light that China is constructing a second bridge in an area held by it around the strategically key Pangong Tso lake in eastern Ladakh and it could help its military to quickly mobilise its troops in the region.

China has also been establishing other infrastructure such as roads and residential areas in the border areas with India.

When asked about his assessment of the India-China border standoff in Ladakh, Flynn told reporters here, "I believe that the activity level is eye-opening and I think the some of the infrastructure that is being created in the (Chinese Army's) western theatre command is alarming."

The western theatre command of the Chinese Army borders India.

Flynn said when one sees China's military arsenal in all domains, one must ask the question why is it needed.

"So, I do not have a crystal ball to tell you how it (India-China border standoff) is going to end or where we will be at. I will express to you that it is worthy of asking this question and try to get their response as to what are their intentions" he noted.

He said the talks that are going on between India and China are helpful.

"However, behaviour matters here as well. So, understanding what they are saying is one thing but the way they are acting and behaving by the way of build-up is concerning. It should be concerning to every one of us," he noted.

"Our ability to strengthen the relationships in the region as a counterweight to those destablising activities and to strengthen the network of allies and partners and like-minded countries that care about the protection of their people, national sovereignty, land, resources, free and open Pacific Ocean and society, he said.

I think it is worthy of us working together as a counterweight to some of those corrosive and corruptive behaviours that the Chinese do," he said.

Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande had on May 9 said China's intention has been to keep alive the boundary question with India though it remains the basic issue between the two countries.

India and China have held 15 rounds of military talks so far to resolve the eastern Ladakh row.