A recent pentagon report submitted to the US Congress has flagged China’s claim over Arunachal Pradesh as part of Beijing’s stated “core interests”, placing the Indian state alongside Taiwan and major maritime disputes in China’s long-term national strategy. It also highlights the extent of increasing collaboration and partnership between Beijing and Islamabad. The report notes that China’s leadership has expanded the scope of its core interests to include Taiwan, sovereignty and maritime claims in the South China Sea, the Senkaku Islands, and Arunachal Pradesh, framing these objectives as central to achieving the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” by 2049, according to ANI.The report says, Chinese officials have described the unification of China and contested territories – particularly Taiwan – as a “natural requirement” for national rejuvenation. Under this vision, a rejuvenated China would operate at a higher global level and field a “world-class” military capable of “fight and win” operations, while “resolutely safeguarding” sovereignty, security and development interests. On India-China ties, the report highlights that in October 2024, Indian leadership announced an agreement with China to disengage from remaining standoff points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), two days before a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping at the BRICS Summit. That meeting marked the start of monthly high-level engagements, covering border management, direct flights, visa facilitation and exchanges of academics and journalists, ANI reported.China is seen as seeking to leverage reduced LAC tensions to stabilise ties and prevent a deepening of US-India relations, though India is expected to remain cautious, with mutual distrust likely to constrain the relationship, the report said. The report also flags China’s deepening military and strategic cooperation with Pakistan. Beijing continues to co-produce the JF-17 fighter aircraft with Pakistan and remains the only buyer of Chinese J-10 multirole combat aircraft. China has also supplied armed drones to Pakistan and several other countries and is a key naval supplier to Islamabad, reflecting in Pakistan’s $3 billion purchase of eight Yuan-class submarines. Beyond arms transfers, the Pentagon assessment notes that China is likely considering Pakistan as a potential location for future PLA military logistics facilities, as part of its broader overseas basing strategy beyond Djibouti. The report also went on to talk about the China-Pakistan intelligence agreement signed in 2020, expanding cooperation on counterterrorism operations in Pakistan and Afghanistan, particularly targeting Uyghur groups.According to the assessment, Beijing identifies three non-negotiable core interests: The continued control of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), economic development, and the defence and expansion of territorial and sovereignty claims. The report went on to add that the CCP remains highly sensitive to criticism that it is failing to protect Chinese interests, viewing both domestic and external challenges as threats to its legitimacy.
