Overview
- China's Foreign Ministry said it firmly opposes the Pentagon's alleged distortion of its national defense policy regarding relations with India.
- Spokesperson Lin Jian stated that Beijing approaches its relationship with New Delhi from a strategic, long-term perspective.
- Lin emphasized that the border issue is solely between China and India and objected to any third-party judgment.
- A Dec. 23 Pentagon report assessed that China probably seeks to leverage reduced border tensions to stabilize ties with India and limit deeper U.S.-India alignment.
- The exchange reflects a public messaging dispute with no announced policy or military changes.