Stop seeing China as an adversary, says IAF chief Arup Raha
‘I think its time for mature statesmanship from both the countries’
New Delhi: Calling for mature statesmanship from India and China, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha on Saturday said the country should not look at China as an adversary anymore.
"We are in the same region, we have common interests. I don't think that we should look at them as adversaries anymore," Raha told reporters here in Alipurduar district.
"Yes, we had fought a conflict, we have borders to settle. I think its time for mature statesmanship from both the countries to reconcile on many issues ... and cooperate (and) coordinate (for) development in the region," he said when asked about the "threat" from China.
Stating that two rising economic or military powers can co-exist, he said, the adversarial stance should now change into a more friendly stance.
Earlier this month, the IAF chief was reported to have cited China's growing influence in the Indian subcontinent as a major security challenge for India.
China's increasing economic and military ties with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar are all strategic moves by China to contain India, he had said.