Taiwan conducts live explosive Han Kuang drills along Tamsui River to block Chinese PLA amphibious assault aimed at capital
Taiwan's military showcased its readiness by simulating a Chinese incursion on the Tamsui River during the Han Kuang exercises. The drill involved live C4 explosive detonations and river blockades, sending a strong message to Beijing. This unprecedented display of force highlights Taiwan's commitment to defending its sovereignty against escalating threats from China, including drone incursions.
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India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Which policy of China has brought Bangladesh and Pakistan closer to Beijing and why India should be worried?
New Delhi: The growing closeness between China, Pakistan and Bangladesh has become a matter of concern for India. On June 19, representatives of the three countries met in Kunming, China on the alternative to SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation). Pakistan is already in debt to China and China's influence is also increasing in Bangladesh. CDS General Anil Chauhan had recently expressed concern about this. What are Pakistan, Turkey and China working on? Turkey is also involved in this matter, which is providing military assistance to Pakistan and strengthening its defense ties with Bangladesh. In such a situation, India can get caught in a difficult diplomatic situation. Pakistan takes loans from China and buys weapons. Its economy is based on loans from IMF and China. More than 80% of Pakistan's military equipment comes from China. The World Bank estimates that it may take more than 40 years for Pakistan to repay its debt to China. China wants to take advantage of this situation to increase its dominance in South Asia. According to reports, China also supported Pakistan during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. Where does Bangladesh stand? Indian Army Deputy Chief Lieutenant General Rahul R Singh had alleged that China had given active military assistance to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. However, China has denied this allegation. Some people even saw this war as a test of Chinese weapons. China is also trying to defame companies supplying weapons to India. On the other hand, Bangladesh is also getting trapped in China's debt. The situation has worsened after the fall of the Hasina government in August 2024 following student protests. Muhammad Yunus' interim government is showing signs of aligning with China. Why should India be worried? China's growing influence on Pakistan and Bangladesh is worrying for India. China is interfering in Pakistan through infrastructure projects. Bangladesh is also taking loans from China and getting closer to Pakistan. The situation has worsened after the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government. A survey by Chatham House in June 2025 revealed that 75% of Bangladeshis prefer China, while only 11% prefer Indian. In the last few years, it has been propagated that India was supporting the Hasina government, which was infamous for its dictatorship. Anti-Hasina sentiments have also affected India. Muhammad Yunus' interim government is building good relations with Pakistan and military ties between the two countries are also growing.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Jaishankar to tour Singapore, China from today; Chinese FM likely to visit India in July
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will travel to Singapore and China from July 13 to 15, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Saturday. In Singapore, he will 'meet his counterpart and the leadership of Singapore as part of the regular exchanges between our two countries,' the MEA said. Thereafter, he will 'visit the People's Republic of China to participate in the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers' Meeting (CFM) being held in Tianjin. Jaishankar will also hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Foreign Ministers' Meeting, it said. The Meeting of the Council of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of theShanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will be held in Tianjin on July 15, a statement by a spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Saturday. At the invitation of the member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, foreign ministers of other SCO member states and heads of the bloc's permanent bodies will attend the meeting, the statement said. The ministers will exchange views on SCO cooperation in various fields and major international and regional issues, it said. Wang may also visit India this month to hold a fresh round of talks with NSA Ajit Doval under the framework of Special Representatives (SR) dialogue on the boundary dispute, it is learnt. Both Wang and Doval are the designated SRs of the boundary mechanism. Both countries held 23 rounds of talks under the SRs mechanism to resolve the dispute but without success. This will be Jaishankar's first visit to China since the military standoff along the LAC in eastern Ladakh in May 2020. The meeting of the Foreign Ministers will also set the stage for the SCO Leaders' Summit in Tianjin, expected to be held early September. Jaishankar's visit follows visits by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and NSA Doval, who had travelled to China in June last week for SCO meetings. Singh took part in the SCO Defence Ministers' conference in Qingdao. During his talks with Chinese Defence Minister Gen Dong Jun on June 26, Singh proposed that India and China should solve the 'complex issues' under a structured roadmap comprising steps to de-escalate tensions along the frontiers and rejuvenate the existing mechanism to demarcate the borders. Singh and Dong held bilateral talks on the sidelines of a conclave of the SCO with a focus on maintaining peace and tranquillity along the LAC. Singh had also emphasised the need to create 'good neighbourly conditions' to achieve the best mutual benefits and called for 'taking action on the ground' to bridge the 'trust deficit' resulting from the 2020 eastern Ladakh border standoff, according to an Indian readout on the meeting on June 27. Reacting to Singh's statement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning had said that the boundary question is 'complicated, and it takes time to settle it'.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Operation Sindoor proved India's readiness; exposed inefficiency of Pak's Chinese military gear: US warfare expert
. NEW DELHI: Operation Sindoor , India's military response to the Pahalgam terror attack , sent a strong message to the world — not just about capability, but about intent, says John Spencer, a leading expert on modern warfare. Speaking to ANI, Spencer — who chairs Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute in New York — said India showed it could strike with precision and restraint. 'This was not just about targeting terrorists. It was also a demonstration of India's indigenous military systems, tested against Chinese-made weapons used by Pakistan,' he said. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, days after 26 civilians were killed in a terror attack in Pahalgam. Strikes were carried out on terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). India also repelled Pakistani military attempts that followed and targeted their airbases. The conflict de-escalated after a call from Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) to the Indian side. According to Spencer, Pakistan, being heavily equipped with Chinese military systems, became a kind of 'testing ground' for Beijing's defence technology. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo 'China uses Pakistan as a lab. And this was a chance for India to show what its homegrown defence tech can do,' he explained. He added that the world — including adversaries like China — was watching closely. 'Wars are the ultimate test. It's not about what you say, but what satellite footage and strike videos actually show.' Spencer also stressed the difference between a full-scale war and an operation like Sindoor. 'This had a clear trigger and a clear objective. It wasn't open-ended. But it does sit within a larger pattern — where countries use proxies, borders, and pressure tactics to weaken neighbours.' On future conflict risks, Spencer said wars are unpredictable, but preparation matters. 'You can't predict when the next war will break out. But you can prepare. And India has been preparing — from reforms in the military to tech innovations and doctrine changes.' He added that his interest in Operation Sindoor wasn't just about the four days of strikes — but about India's build-up over the past decade. On Pakistan's use of Chinese weaponry, Spencer said the strikes may lead to a rethink in Islamabad. 'If something you bought doesn't perform well, you either go back to the seller or look elsewhere. But Pakistan has money problems, and that limits their choices.' "Every Indian strike was a message not just to Pakistan, but to the world" says John Spencer He also pointed to "user error" as a possible factor in how poorly some systems performed. 'They want advanced systems, but affordability is a challenge. Still, they'll be forced to look for alternatives.' Spencer concluded that India's show of preparedness and capability during Operation Sindoor was a lesson in deterrence — one that the world, including its adversaries, took note of.
