US pledges support to India over border clashes with China | India News

WASHINGTON: The Biden administration on Tuesday accused China of being “provocative” towards US allies and its partners in the Indo-Pacific region and pledged to remain committed to ensuring their security.
The US assurance came in response to a question at a Pentagon briefing on clashes between Chinese and Indian troops in Arunachal Pradesh, with a reporter specifically seeking to know if the Pentagon is concerned this could lead to a bigger military confrontation and if the US is willing to provide more military support to India to help them handle China’s military threats.
“We will continue to remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring the security of our partners,” Pentagon press secretary Brigadier General Pat Ryder said, prefacing the remark by pointing out “the growing trend by the PRC to assert itself and to be provocative in areas directed towards U.S. allies and our partners in the Indo Pacific.”
Ryder said the US fully supports “India’s ongoing efforts to de-escalate this situation.”
“The (US) Department of Defense continues to closely watch developments along the Line of Actual Control at the India-China border. We have seen the PRC continue to amass forces and build military infrastructure along the so-called LAC,” he added.
The US support for India in its recent travails with China has been unequivocal, a far cry from the days when it typically advised India to sort out issues with its neighbors. Beijing is said to have recently warned American officials to not interfere with its relationship with India, advise that Washington saw as China trying to erode “US and partner influence,” according to a Pentagon report submitted to US lawmakers last month.
“(China) seeks to prevent border tensions from causing India to partner more closely with the United States. PRC officials have warned US officials to not interfere with its relationship with India,” the 196-page report on “Military and Security Developments” said.