According to the top intelligence official from the US Department of Defence, India has taken significant steps towards modernising its military to compete with China and reduce its reliance on Russian-made equipment. During a Congressional hearing on defence intelligence countering China, Lt Gen Jeffrey Kruse, Director of the Defence Intelligence Agency, highlighted India’s recent efforts to showcase itself as a global leader by hosting the G20 summit and demonstrating a greater willingness to counter China activity throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Kruse stated, “India has advanced partnerships in the Indo-Pacific with regional South China Sea claimants, such as the Philippines, through training and defence sales and deepening cooperation with the US, Australia, France and Japan.”
He further added, “In 2023, India took steps to modernise its military to compete with China and reduce its dependency on Russian-origin equipment. India conducted sea trials for its first domestically produced aircraft carrier and negotiated with several Western countries to transfer key defence technologies.”
During the briefing to lawmakers, it was revealed that in 2024, New Delhi is expected to focus on securing its national parliamentary elections, maintaining economic growth, and advancing its ‘Make in India’ initiative. This initiative is a key part of India’s military modernisation effort, aimed at strategically countering Beijing. The relationship between India and China remains strained following the 2020 Galwan clash, which resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and at least five PLA soldiers. In October 2023, senior Indian and PLA officers held their twentieth round of talks but failed to resolve disputes about the two remaining standoff locations in eastern Ladakh. Kruse said both sides currently have around 50,000-60,000 troops in the area and are continuing to improve their military infrastructure near the border.
Kruse mentioned that India has taken a neutral stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Despite India’s interest in diversifying its defence acquisition partnerships, it continues to rely heavily on Russia, its primary defence partner, for weapons such as the S-400 surface-to-air missile system.
Kruse also shared that Pakistan has been seeking international support, including from the UN Security Council, to resolve its dispute with India over Kashmir. The two countries have been maintaining an uneasy ceasefire along the shared Line of Control since February 2021. According to Kruse, Pakistan’s defence policy is still influenced by its complicated relationship with India. On the positive side, he also mentioned that cross-border violence between the two countries has decreased since they recommitted to a ceasefire in February 2021.
Team BharatShakti
