China still India's 'primary adversary', Pakistan mere security problem: US report

New Delhi: Notwithstanding the recent conflict on the western border, China remains the “primary adversary” for India while Pakistan is considered more of an “ancillary security problem”, says the USA’s Defence Intelligence Agency in its latest report.

Pakistan, on the other hand, regards India as an “existential threat” and will continue to pursue its military modernisation effort, including the development of battlefield nuclear weapons, to offset India’s conventional military advantage, it adds.

The report, which takes note of the Pahalgam carnage and the consequent Indo-Pak conflict, says that in the wake of the April terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, New Delhi conducted missile strikes on terrorism-related infrastructure facilities in Pakistan.

“The missile strike provoked multiple rounds of missile, drone, and loitering munition attacks, and heavy artillery fire, by both militaries from May 7–10. As of May 10, both militaries had agreed to a full ceasefire,” it observes.

The report maintains that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s defence priorities will probably focus on demonstrating global leadership, countering China, and enhancing New Delhi’s military power. India almost certainly will continue promoting its “Made in India” initiative this year to build its domestic defence industry to mitigate supply chain concerns.

The publication of the report, presented recently before the US House of Representatives, coincides with Chief of the Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan’s Sunday visit to the Indian Army’s Northern and Western Commands, where he was given detailed briefings by the Commanders on the force’s preparations on the western front.

At Udhampur, Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma gave an update on the continued operational and logistics preparedness of the army and assured the CDS on protecting the borders, while launching an all-out effort to eradicate terrorism.

Gen Chauhan was apprised of the “kinetic and non-kinetic punitive responses” during Operation Sindoor by Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Command at Chandimandir.

A detailed overview of the operational environment, defence preparedness, and key outcomes of the operation were provided to the CDS, while underscoring the prevailing security situation along the western borders.

The visit by India’s topmost General to two key formations is a part of the ongoing review of the armed forces’ preparedness, as neither Pakistan nor India have lowered their guards along the western front even though the guns have fallen silent.

On Chinese threats, the DIA report says, “The October 2024 disengagement did not resolve the longstanding dispute about border demarcation but reduced some tension still lingering from a 2020 incident when troops on both sides were killed in a clash along the Line of Actual Control.”

“To counter Chinese influence and boost its global leadership role, India is giving priority to advancing its bilateral defence partnerships in the Indian Ocean region through exercises, training, arms sales, and information sharing. India also has increased trilateral engagement in the Indo-Pacific region,” it adds.