India wary of assertive China, intrusive Pakistan: Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha

Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha (L), former Air Marshal BU Chengappa (C) and chairman HAL RK Thyagi (R) in Bengaluru. piC/PTI

Bengaluru: With the strategic gravity shifting from West to East, especially to Asia and Asia Pacific, "India faces security challenges in the region due to an assertive China and an intrusive Pakistan," the IAF chief, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, said on Saturday.

Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha (L), former Air Marshal BU Chengappa (C) and chairman HAL RK Thyagi (R) in Bengaluru. Pic/PTI

"The situation is not good for the environment, as peaceful rise of China remains a distant dream. An assertive China is investing heavily in developing military power, especially aerospace power, laying claims on international waters, island territories and air space over South China Sea and East China Sea," Raha said during the eighth annual Air Chief Marshal LM Katre memorial lecture.

Noting that the situation in South Asia spawning Afghanistan and Pakistan was going to be delicate, especially after the withdrawal of the US-led allied forces, the chief of air staff said Pakistan was the fountainhead of terrorism, encouraging terrorist activities despite being a part of the global war on terror.

"Withdrawal of American and Western forces from Afghanistan will create a very delicate situation for India in terms of some conventional threats to us. Similarly, the IS (Islamic State) gaining strength in West Asia poses another challenge for us to deal with proper planning and induction of forces, especially aerospace power," he said.