Dynamite News Pawar: China 'bigger threat to India' than Pakistan
Amid the border tension with China, NCP president Sharad Pawar has said China is a "bigger threat to India" than Pakistan.
Mumbai: Amid the border tension with China, NCP president Sharad Pawar has saidChina is a "bigger threat to India" than Pakistan.
China's military might is "ten times greater" than India, the former defence minister said, adding that Beijing has "weaned away" India's neighbours to its side.
The Centre should try to put international pressure on Chinathrough negotiations and diplomatic channels, Pawar said in an interview to Shiv Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana'. The second of the three-part interview series was published in the Marathi daily on Sunday.
"When we think of an enemy, the first name that comes to our mind is that of Pakistan. But we need not worry about Pakistan. In the long term,it is China that has the power, vision and programme to act against Indian interests. China is a bigger threat to India," Pawar said.
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The "real threat to Indiais from China" which has become economically strong, he added.
"By creating a picture of camaraderie, you can't resolve issues between two countries," he said, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's handshakes and hugs with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the latter's India visit.
Asked about the clash between Chinese and Indian soldiers at Galwan Valley in Ladakh last month, Pawar said, "When I say there should be no politics over the issue, it is because we can attack them. But the entire country will have to pay a heavy price when there is retaliation to the attack."
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"Instead of striking, we should try to put international pressure on Chinathrough negotiations and diplomatic channels," he said.
Pawar said China had turned not just Pakistan, but even countries like Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka against India.
"When Modi becameprime minister for the first time, he went to Nepal to offer prayers at the Pashupatinath temple. Modi praised Nepal, calling it Indias friend and the first Hindu nation. Now Nepal is not with us, but on Chinas side," the former Union minister said.
India took the lead to liberate Bangladesh, and now the neighbouring country has signed a treaty with China, he said.(PTI)