Overview
- The Pentagon’s annual report to Congress lists Arunachal Pradesh alongside Taiwan, the South China Sea and the Senkaku Islands as part of China’s declared core interests.
- It assesses that Beijing probably seeks to leverage reduced tensions along the Line of Actual Control to stabilise relations with India and to limit deeper US–India alignment.
- China’s foreign and defence ministries rejected the findings as biased interference, framed the border question as a bilateral matter with India, and said Beijing is ready to strengthen communication with New Delhi.
- The report underscores rapid PLA modernisation and closer defence cooperation with Pakistan, citing deliveries such as J-10C fighters and noting a Chinese operational presence at Cambodia’s Ream naval base.
- Indian coverage highlights New Delhi’s cautious, transactional engagement and recent reported detentions tied to Arunachal documentation, reflecting persistent sensitivities despite a de-escalation agreement in 2024.