India, US Facing Similar Security Challenges From China: US Indo Pacom Commander

The top US commander said Biden administration is helping India in its effort to develop its own industrial base besides providing assistance with cold weather gear

A top US commander said that India and the US were facing the same challenges from China

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India and the United States are facing similar security challenges from China, said a top American commander on Wednesday, adding that the Biden administration is helping India in its effort to develop its own industrial base besides providing assistance with cold-weather gear, as India defends its border on the northern side.

As per a report by PTI, Admiral John Christopher Aquilino, commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command said, “We value our partnership with India, and we've been increasing it and doing a lot more, over time. They have the same security challenge, the primary security challenges that we do, and it's really on their northern border. Two skirmishes now in over the past nine or 10 months on that border, as they continue to get pressurised by the PRC for border gains.”

The statement by Aquilino came in response to a question from Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna.

“I would like you to reflect on the importance of the relationship -- postcolonialism India and China had a relationship to emerge as the Asian voice. But that relationship now has really soured with a concern that there should not be a hegemon in Asia and that China is treating other countries as junior partners,” Khanna asked.

Aquilino responded by saying that India and the US have the same challenges and added that they have the desire to operate together. He also said he met with General Chauhan at the Raisina Dialogue not long ago and that he had been to India “five times now in the past two years.”

He also mentioned Quad noting its significance even though not a security agreement. 

“So, the importance of that relationship can't be overstated. We operate together, frequently, with the Quad Nations. Again, the Quad is not a security agreement, it's diplomatic and economic, but the Quad Nations come together, often, to operate together in multiple exercises. So, we continue to work to be interoperable and to expand the relationship,” he observed.