Pune: General Bipin Rawat, on Sunday, said that India looks at China as an emerging competitor country because everything is about economics. The Army chief also added that countries like Nepal and Bhutan cannot de-link themselves from India, as they are more inclined towards India because of the geography. He also said the geography does not favour their inclination towards China.
He was speaking on the sidelines of the closing ceremony of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation - Field Training Military Exercise, also known as BIMSTEC-MILEX 18, which was underway in Pune from September 10. Gen Rawat said, “China is an emerging competitor and everything is about economics.”
“They are also looking for market and we are also looking for the same market (South East Asia) and there is a competition. So whoever performs better will win the race. Therefore, we have to improve our system,” he added.
Replying to a query on Nepal’s growing alignment with China, Rawat said, “Countries like Nepal and Bhutan have to be inclined to India because of geography. Geography favours inclination towards India and as far as an alliance (with China) is concerned, it is a temporary thing.”
Giving the example of Pakistan and the US, the General claimed that such ties were temporary and bound to change along with the scenario at the global level. “The best example of this is the relation between America and Pakistan. It is not the same as what it used to be in the past. Therefore, we need not be bothered about all these issues. We need to concentrate on how to keep our country strong,” he said.
Just two days before the exercise was to begin, Nepal had decided not to send its Army team for the exercise. Of the seven BIMSTEC nations, while the troops from India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanks and Bangladesh were part of the ground exercise, Nepal and Thailand had sent teams of observers.
He further added, “As our leaders say, ‘Neighbourhood First and Act East,’ BIMSTEC is part of such efforts. We are strengthening our relationship with our neighbours. We are a bigger country, if we take the initiative, others will follow.”
When asked about the illegal immigration in the BIMSTEC region, the Chief of Army staff said it was not a new phenomenon.
“Migration always happens from an economically weaker nation to a stronger nation and therefore, equal growth is important. This phenomenon is not going to end unless there is an equitable and good distribution of growth,” said Rawat.
Earlier, Minister of State for Defence Dr Subhash Bhamre, while addressing the press at the concluding ceremony of the military exercise, said that Nepal had participated by way of sending observers.
“In all the previous summits, they (Nepal) have participated. This time, it was a military exercise and this is the same period when their command changed (new General taking over as CoAS of the Nepal Army). They (Nepal) have sent their observers so there was participation from them. We need not look at any other angle,” the minister said.
