Amid the border stress with China, NCP president Sharad Pawar has stated China is a “ bigger threat to India” than Pakistan.
China’s military might is “10 times higher” than India, the former Defence Minister said, adding that Beijing has “weaned away” India’s neighbours to its side.
The Centre ought to attempt to put global pressure on China through negotiations and diplomatic channels, Mr. Pawar said in an interview to Shiv Sena mouth piece ‘ Saamana‘.
The second of the three-part interview series was released in the Marathi daily on Sunday.
” When we think about an enemy, the given name that concerns our mind is that of Pakistan. But we need not fret about Pakistan. In the long term, it is China that has the power, vision and programme to act versus Indian interests. China is a larger danger to India,” Mr. Pawar stated.
The “real threat to India is from China” which has become economically strong, he added.
” By producing a picture of camaraderie, you can’t solve problems in 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 go to.
Asked about the clash in between Chinese and Indian soldiers at Galwan Valley in Ladakh last month, Mr. Pawar stated, “When I sa