Union Minister Subhash Bhamre cautions escalation along China border

Eight months after the Doklam standoff, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre cautioned on Thursday that there is a possibility of escalation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. He said the situation along the LAC is "sensitive" and it has the potential to escalate. "At the Line of Actual Control, the situation is sensitive as incidents of patrolling, transgression and standoffs have a potential of escalation," he said.

"While confidence building measures are being enhanced, we shall continue to take all action deemed necessary to ensure sanctity of LAC," the minister said while addressing a seminar on the Army's contribution to nation building.

Talking about the regional security situation, Bhamre also talked about likelihood of Pakistan becoming a "conduit" for spread of ISIS ideologies to countries like India. He also said that rising instability in India's neighbourhood had increased the possibility of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to non state actors. "Today, we are facing a difficult neighbourhood with myriad security challenges. Ceasefire violation along the Line of Control continues to target Army and civilians. Situation in hinterland in Jammu and Kashmir remains a challenge," he said.

Bhamre also emphasised the need to effectively deal with "inimical threats" to the country and added that rise in religious fundamentalism and its spread through social media remains a cause of concern. "We need to continue with firm action to negate, mitigate and destroy elements inimical to our security," he said.