US Pentagon Report Flags China's Claims Over Arunachal Pradesh

A newly released report by the United States Department of Defense has drawn attention to China's territorial claims, particularly regarding Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing now includes in its list of 'core interests'. This designation aligns the Indian state with other contentious areas such as Taiwan and various maritime disputes, indicating a significant aspect of China's long-term national strategy. The Pentagon document outlines how China's leadership has broadened its scope of core interests, now encompassing Taiwan, claims in the South China Sea, the Senkaku Islands, and Arunachal Pradesh. These interests are framed as essential to achieving the 'great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation' by the year 2049.

The report indicates that Chinese officials consider the integration of contested territories, especially Taiwan, as a fundamental requirement for national rejuvenation. Under this vision, a revitalised China aspires to elevate its global standing and develop a 'world-class' military, capable of engaging in operations intended to 'fight and win', while firmly safeguarding its sovereignty, security, and developmental interests.

In terms of India-China relations, the report highlights a notable event from October 2024, when Indian leadership announced an agreement with China to disengage from remaining standoff points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). This announcement came just two days prior to a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS Summit, which marked the beginning of regular high-level engagements between the two nations. These meetings have since focused on various issues including border management, direct flights, visa facilitation, and exchanges between academics and journalists.

Despite these diplomatic efforts, the Pentagon report cautions that China appears to be leveraging the reduced tensions along the LAC to stabilise its bilateral relations with India, while simultaneously aiming to limit the growing closeness between the United States and India. However, the report suggests that India is likely to maintain a cautious approach, with deep-rooted mutual distrust continuing to impact the relationship.

Additionally, the report elaborates on the strengthening military and strategic cooperation between China and Pakistan. Beijing has been actively engaged in co-producing the JF-17 fighter aircraft with Islamabad and remains a major buyer of China's J-10 multirole combat aircraft. Furthermore, China has supplied Pakistan with armed drones and is a key naval provider, exemplified by a $3 billion deal involving the purchase of eight Yuan-class submarines.

Beyond arms sales, the Pentagon assessment indicates that China may be considering Pakistan as an option for future military logistics facilities, as part of a broader strategy to establish overseas military bases beyond Djibouti. The report also references a 2020 intelligence agreement between China and Pakistan, which aims to enhance cooperation on counterterrorism operations in both Pakistan and Afghanistan, with a focus on targeting Uyghur groups.

According to the Pentagon report, Beijing has outlined three non-negotiable core interests: the continued dominance of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), economic development, and the defence and expansion of territorial claims. The report further notes the CCP's heightened sensitivity to any criticism regarding its ability to protect Chinese interests, perceiving both domestic and external challenges as threats to its legitimacy.