US Report Highlights China's Strategic Moves Amid India-China Relations

The recent US Department of War report sheds light on China's strategic maneuvers amid reduced military tensions with India. It highlights concerns regarding Beijing's intentions to stabilize its relationship with New Delhi while potentially hindering the strengthening ties between India and the US. The report also revisits the historical context of border tensions, particularly the violent clashes in 2020, and discusses ongoing disputes over territorial claims. As both nations navigate their complex relationship, the report emphasizes the importance of high-level engagements and the evolving dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region. Discover more about the implications of these developments in the full article.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 24, 2025, 12:26 IST

China's Military Strategy and India Relations

On Tuesday, the United States Department of War indicated that China might be looking to leverage the reduced military tensions along the Line of Actual Control to hinder the strengthening of ties between New Delhi and Washington.

The Pentagon's annual report to Congress highlighted that Beijing aims to utilize this thaw in relations to stabilize its connection with New Delhi.

According to the report, India is likely to remain cautious regarding China's intentions and actions. It noted that ongoing mutual distrust and various issues are likely to restrict the bilateral relationship between India and China.

Border tensions escalated significantly in June 2020, following a violent confrontation in Ladakh's Galwan Valley, which resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers, while China reported four casualties.

Initial disengagement efforts were made at several tense locations, including Galwan Valley, Hot Springs, and Pangong Tso, but disputes at Demchok and Depsang continue to persist.

The report reiterated the Pentagon's stance that the Chinese leadership has broadened the term 'core interest' to encompass Beijing's territorial claims amid ongoing disputes, including those concerning Arunachal Pradesh.

China refers to Arunachal Pradesh as Zangnan and asserts claims over a significant portion of the state, labeling it as 'South Tibet,' a claim that India firmly rejects.

In a section discussing Chinese strategy and US-China relations, the report mentioned that in October 2024, New Delhi and Beijing announced a patrolling arrangement along the Line of Actual Control, which facilitated the disengagement of their military forces in eastern Ladakh.

This agreement was reached just two days prior to a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, marking their first formal interaction since the 2020 clashes.

The Pentagon noted that this meeting signified the beginning of monthly high-level engagements between the two nations, focusing on border management and initiatives to enhance bilateral relations, including the resumption of flights between Indian and Chinese cities and the reopening of visa services.

In recent decades, the US has regarded India as a counterbalance to China's expanding influence in the Indo-Pacific region. The strengthening defense partnership with Washington has been positively received by New Delhi, with bipartisan support for improving ties over the last 25 years.

However, tensions have arisen due to former President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs, additional charges on Russian oil purchases amid the Ukraine conflict, and his claims of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan during their four-day conflict in May, which New Delhi has denied.