China capable of launching cyber attack on India, we are getting ready for it: CDS Gen Bipin Rawat

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Bipin Rawat has said that China is capable of cyber attacks against India and a mechanism is being readied to combat any such move.

In his address at the Vivekananda International Foundation on Wednesday, Rawat said that the leadership of India has demonstrated political will and determination in maintaining vital national interests in view of the 'unprovoked attack' on the security and dignity of the country. His remarks are being seen in the context of the deadlock with China in eastern Ladakh.

Rawat said that China has the first movers advantage as India was slow to adopt cyber warfare capabilities, which has led to the gaps.

In response to a question, the CDS said that the biggest gaps between India and China are in the cyber sector. Also, he said that the neighbouring country has invested a lot in new technology. General Rawat said that in the last few years, the gap between the capacities between the two countries has increased and in the field of technology, China has become a 'pioneer' over India. He said, "We know that China is capable of a cyber attack on us and it can destroy our system in a big way. We are trying to create a system that will ensure cyber defence."

He said that the country is facing various security threats and challenges ranging from indirect warfare to 'hybrid' and non-contact conventional warfare. General Rawat added that India must develop the capabilities to deal with such challenges vigorously and without creating any insecurity among its friends. 

"What we are trying to do is create a system which will ensure cyber defence. We have been able to create a cyber agency within the armed forces and each service also has its own cyber agency, so that even if we come under a cyberattack, the downtime of the attack doesn`t last long," Rawat said.

In his address, he also mentioned the development of India's army and said that the country should avoid looking to the western world for security solutions and instead tell the world that it has come and with India's vast experience in dealing with various challenges Learn.

General Rawat said that India's external threats can be dealt with by effective diplomacy and adequate defence capability, but noted that strong political institutions, economic growth, social harmony, effective law and order mechanisms, speedy judicial relief and good governance are 'first requirements of internal stability'.

According to the official data presented in the Parliament, India witnessed a nearly 300 per cent spike in cyberattacks last year in comparison to 2019, from 3,94,499 cases in 2019 to 11,58,208 in 2020, which is alarming for the government.