India Must Convince Neighbours Against Debt Trap Of China: Gen Bipin Rawat
NDTV
Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat said China uses money power to "gain popularity" in Indian Ocean Region countries and there is a threat of falling into a debt trap.
Amid efforts by China to increase its footprint in the Indian Ocean, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat said that India should focus on Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) initiative to foster its relations with its maritime neighbours.
"Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a clarion call that India believes in SAGAR - Security and Growth for all. We have to continue to move in that mission. We should not allow this mission to go back in any way. We must make sure to tell our neighbours that we are here as friends, we are here to engage with you on equal terms, we consider all our neighbours as equals, partners in the development of this region," Gen Rawat told the media on the sidelines of an event here.
He said that China uses money power to "gain popularity" in Indian Ocean Region countries and there is a threat of falling into a debt trap.
He said India should convince the maritime neighbours that it is their friend in the long term.
