India must remain vigilant over Chinese designs: Former army chief

Former Army Chief General VP Malik has observed that India must step up the vigil along the Chinese border in Arunachal Pradesh as its eastern neighbour might try to "forcefully occupy" Indian territories.

"India should remain vigilant from evil designs of China which may forcibly occupy some of the territories in north west and in Arunachal Pradesh," he said.

Malik was speaking at a function here last night.

"India shares about 4000 km-long border with China and the neighbouring country is making its presence felt in POK and Arunchal Pradesh....Which the Chinese have been describing as South Tibet since last eight-nine years...And therefore India should remain alert on borders," Malik said addressing a symposium on "How prepared India is to defend herself" organised here by local daily The Hitvada.

Besides Malik former Air Chief Marshal AY Tipnis and former Admiral Sushil Kumar also participated in the event.

"Chinese defence budget has gone up by 11.5% and our policy matters are not even discussing about the raise," he said.

The other two former service chiefs sought to underline the need to engage Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar to counter the threat and adopt a long-term foreign policy.

"We can't remain dependent on foreign suppliers and government should encourage both manufacturers in government as well as private sectors. Our biggest strength is our men and all we need is sophisticated weapons to fight," Malik said.

Recalling the Kargil war, Admiral Sushil Kumar said the Indian Navy had deployed its ships in the Arabian Ocean though the war was fought on hills by the Indian Army and Indian Air Force. "But we succeed in blocking their (Pakistan's) supply chain through the sea route".

Former Air chief martial AY Tipnis proposed the need for government to government, military to military and people to people interaction in the sub continent.