China Accuses US of Trying to Undermine Improving Ties With India Over Defence Policy

China on Thursday accused the United States of misrepresenting Beijing’s defence posture in an attempt to obstruct improving relations between China and India, rejecting claims that it was seeking to leverage easing border tensions to curb the expansion of US–India strategic ties.

Responding to a question at a regular press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Beijing views its relationship with New Delhi from a long-term and strategic perspective. He stressed that the boundary issue is a bilateral matter and said China “firmly opposes any third party passing judgment” on disputes between the two neighbours.

The remarks came after a recent US Pentagon report suggested that China may attempt to capitalise on reduced tensions along the India–China border to stabilise bilateral relations and prevent a further deepening of strategic engagement between India and the United States.

While India and China reached an agreement last year to disengage troops at key friction points along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh, recent developments indicate that tensions have not fully subsided. After months of relative calm, frictions have resurfaced over Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as part of its territory.

A Pentagon assessment submitted to the US Congress categorised Arunachal Pradesh as one of China’s “core interests,” placing it alongside Taiwan and Beijing’s territorial claims in the South China Sea. The report warned that the northeastern Indian state could become a significant flashpoint in future India–China relations.

According to the assessment, China’s claims over Arunachal Pradesh — referred to by Beijing as southern Tibet or Zangnan — are linked to its broader objective of achieving “national rejuvenation” by 2049. As part of this ambition, the report said, China aims to project power globally and build a “world-class military” capable of conducting high-intensity combat operations.

India has consistently rejected China’s position, maintaining that Arunachal Pradesh “was, is, and will always be” an integral part of the country. New Delhi has also reiterated that China’s claim is based on its rejection of the McMahon Line, the boundary agreed upon in 1914 between British India and Tibet, which Beijing does not recognise.

Recent incidents have underscored the sensitivity of the issue. Last month, an Indian citizen was detained for several hours at a Shanghai airport during a transit stop after Chinese authorities questioned the validity of her passport citing Arunachal Pradesh as her place of birth. Earlier this week, a content creator was also reportedly detained in China after publicly stating that Arunachal Pradesh is part of India.

The developments come amid a complex regional landscape, with India balancing efforts to stabilise ties with China while deepening strategic cooperation with the United States.