New York/Washington, Dec 24 (PTI) China is likely seeking to capitalise on reduced tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India to stabilise bilateral relations and prevent a further deepening of US-India ties, according to a US Department of War report.
In its annual report to Congress titled ‘Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2025’, the department noted that in October 2024 the Indian leadership announced an agreement with China to disengage from remaining standoff sites along the LAC. This came just two days before a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.
The Xi–Modi interaction marked the beginning of monthly high-level engagements, during which the two sides discussed border management and broader steps to stabilise ties, including direct flights, visa facilitation, and exchanges of academics and journalists.
“China probably seeks to capitalise on decreased tension along the LAC to stabilise bilateral relations and prevent the deepening of US-India ties; however, India probably remains sceptical of China’s actions and motives. Continued mutual distrust and other irritants almost certainly limit the bilateral relationship,” the report said.
The document said China’s long-term national strategy aims at achieving “the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” by 2049, envisioning a country with enhanced global influence and a “world-class” military capable of safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests.
China defines three “core interests” that are non-negotiable — maintaining the Chinese Communist Party’s control, promoting economic development, and defending and expanding sovereignty and territorial claims. “China’s leadership has extended the term ‘core interest’ to cover Taiwan and China’s sovereignty claims amid territorial disputes in the South China Sea, the Senkaku Islands, and the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh,” the report noted.
On US-China relations, the report said ties under President Donald Trump are “stronger than they have been in many years,” with Washington seeking to expand military-to-military communication with the People’s Liberation Army, focusing on strategic stability, deconfliction and de-escalation.
“We do not seek to strangle, dominate, or humiliate China,” it said, adding that US policy in the Indo-Pacific aims to deter aggression through strength rather than confrontation. The Department of War, it said, will work to ensure “a stable peace, fair trade, and respectful relations with China” from a position of military strength.
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