A significant report from the United States Department of Defense, submitted to the US Congress, has identified a concerning expansion in China's strategic ambitions. The assessment reveals that Beijing has formally elevated its territorial claim over India's Arunachal Pradesh to the status of a "core interest," placing the northeastern state in the same critical category as Taiwan and its maritime disputes.
China's Expanded List of Non-Negotiable Interests
The Pentagon document states that under President Xi Jinping's leadership, the scope of China's core interests has been deliberately widened. These now explicitly include Taiwan, sovereignty and maritime claims in the South China Sea, the Senkaku Islands, and Arunachal Pradesh. Chinese officials frame the unification of these territories as a "natural requirement" for achieving the "great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation" by the year 2049.
The report outlines three fundamental, non-negotiable pillars for Beijing:
- The continued and unchallenged rule of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
- Sustained economic development.
- The defense and aggressive pursuit of territorial and sovereignty claims.
It further notes that the CCP remains highly sensitive to any perceived failure in protecting these interests, viewing both domestic dissent and external pressure as direct threats to its political legitimacy.
India-China Relations: A Cautious Thaw
On the volatile India-China frontier, the Pentagon report highlights a key diplomatic development from October 2024. Just two days before a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping at the BRICS Summit, Indian leadership announced an agreement with China to disengage from remaining standoff points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
This high-level meeting subsequently initiated a series of monthly engagements between the two nations. These talks have covered critical areas including:
- Border management and stability.
- Resumption of direct flights.
- Visa facilitation measures.
- Exchanges of academics and journalists.
The US assessment interprets China's motive as an attempt to leverage reduced border tensions to stabilise overall ties with India. A key objective for Beijing, according to the report, is to prevent a further deepening of the strategic partnership between India and the United States. However, the analysis cautions that India is expected to remain wary, with deep-seated mutual distrust likely to constrain any significant breakthrough in the relationship for the foreseeable future.
Deepening China-Pakistan Axis: Military and Strategic Dimensions
The Pentagon report sheds extensive light on the growing military and strategic collaboration between China and Pakistan, which has direct implications for regional security dynamics.
China remains Pakistan's paramount defense partner, involved in high-value projects and arms transfers. Notable collaborations include:
- Continued co-production of the JF-17 fighter aircraft.
- Exclusive sale of J-10 multirole combat aircraft to Pakistan's air force.
- Supply of armed drones and other critical military hardware.
- A pivotal $3 billion deal for eight Yuan-class submarines, making China a key naval supplier to Islamabad.
Beyond conventional arms sales, the report reveals a more ambitious strategic dimension. As part of its global power projection strategy, China is likely considering Pakistan as a potential location for future People's Liberation Army (PLA) military logistics facilities. This would represent a significant expansion of China's overseas basing network, which currently only includes Djibouti in Africa.
Furthermore, the intelligence partnership has been formalized through a China-Pakistan intelligence agreement signed in 2020. This pact expands cooperation on counterterrorism operations within Pakistan and Afghanistan, with a particular focus on targeting Uyghur militant groups, aligning with China's domestic security priorities in Xinjiang.
Implications and the Road Ahead
The Pentagon's assessment presents a clear picture of China's long-term strategic blueprint. By classifying Arunachal Pradesh as a core interest, Beijing signals an unwavering and potentially more assertive stance on its border claims with India. This move complicates the already fragile diplomatic and military equilibrium between the two Asian giants.
Simultaneously, the deepening entente between China and Pakistan creates a sustained two-front strategic consideration for Indian defense planners. The prospect of PLA logistics facilities in Pakistan would represent a dramatic shift in the region's military calculus.
While recent diplomatic efforts have opened channels for dialogue and managed a fragile disengagement along the LAC, the foundational issues remain unresolved. The report concludes that India's approach will be one of cautious pragmatism, engaging where necessary but underpinned by a firm resolve to protect its sovereignty and strategic autonomy, even as China pursues its vision of national rejuvenation.
