27-9-2023 (NEW DELHI) Senior military officials and army chiefs from 30 countries, including the United States, gathered in India on Tuesday to address the growing concerns over an increasingly assertive China and the threats faced by the Asia-Pacific region. The meeting aimed to foster cooperation and devise strategies to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.
US Army Chief Randy George, alongside his Indian counterpart Manoj Pande, emphasized the critical importance of the region and expressed their commitment to enhancing collaboration. The participation of generals from Japan and Australia, members of the defense cooperation forum known as the “Quad,” as well as representatives from Britain and France, underscored the significance of the discussions.
Simultaneously, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi issued a statement opposing the “wanton expansion of military alliances,” heightening tensions as the United States strengthens its security ties in the Asia-Pacific region. Beijing has consistently warned against the establishment of a NATO-like military alliance in the area, arguing that it would provoke conflict.
Among the nations present at the two-day conference in New Delhi were Vietnam and the Philippines, both of which have long-standing territorial disputes with China. These disputes, often centered around land and artificially expanded islands used for military purposes, were indirectly referenced by Pande, who highlighted the challenges faced by the region.
India, while maintaining its traditional alliance with Russia, which supplies the majority of its arms imports and discounted oil, has been forging closer ties with the United States. The partnership between the Indian and US armies was deemed crucial for regional stability, as George emphasized the strength and growth of the relationship between the two nations.
