US Intelligence Community Fears Increased India-China Tension and Conflict
The increased military postures adopted by India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) increase the likelihood of an armed conflict between the two nuclear-armed that would call for US intervention, According to the US intelligence community’s global threat assessment for 2023.
The US Intelligence Community’s Annual Threat Assessment said that past standoffs between China and India had demonstrated the potential for rapid escalation of ongoing low-level tension along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
“The expanded military postures by both India and China along the disputed border elevate the risk of armed confrontation between two nuclear powers that might involve direct threats to US persons and interests and calls for US intervention,” the report said.
The report also noted, “While India and China have engaged in bilateral border talks and resolved border points, relations will remain strained in the wake of the countries’ lethal clash in 2020, the most serious in decades”.
The conflict in Galwan Valley in June 2020 resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers, China and India have expanded troop deployment and constructed military facilities along their shared border.
The border and territorial issues between India and China are severe, and neither can compromise. As a result, it may become a bloody conflict, as happened in 1962.
On the other hand, the assessment report also looked into the Pakistan and India escalators cycles, predicting India will respond militarily to any Pakistani provocations.
The analysis by the US intelligence community noted that both sides’ perceptions of heightened tensions increase the likelihood of violence, with violent unrest in Kashmir or a militant attack in India serving as potential flashpoints.
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