Salvo of criticism at China over Galwan Valley incident in the US Defence Act, US Secretary of Defence praises India

Washington: China has been castigated in the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA), presented in the US Congress, over the Galwan Valley conflict. There is an explicit mention in the amendment suggested to the NDAA that this conflict was a result of aggressive and expansionist policies of China, and this is a cause of serious concern. It has also been revealed that the US Congress had passed this amendment unanimously. While the US Congress is targeting China, US Secretary of Defence, Mark Esper, expressed support for India, saying that the cooperation with India is the most vital.

Currently, discussions regarding the defence expenditure bill for the next year are being held in the US Congress. Senior lawmakers Steve Chabot and Ami Bera took the initiative to propose the amendment to the law. The clause speaks about Chinese activities. China has been condemned over the intrusion of its military in the Galwan Valley in May.

The United States lashed out at China by saying that the US Congress is firmly opposed to the aggression shown by China in the Galwan Valley. This is a part of the increasing Chinese expansionist activities. China attempted to acquire the territory to divert attention from the Coronavirus pandemic. The lawmakers have also mentioned in the amendment the Chinese activities carried out in the Senkaku Islands region near Japan in the South China Sea.

The Indian military delivered a telling blow to the Chinese army during the conflict dug up by the Chinese army in the Galwan valley on the India-China border in June. China has been severely cornered on the international level due to this jolt delivered by India. Keeping this as the central issue, the United States too has started increasing closeness with India. Many senior US officials, including the Secretary of State, have assured India of reliable support in the conflict against China.

A few days ago, during the discussions between the Foreign Ministers of India and the United States, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed the Chinese communist government of expansionist policies by mentioning the tension in Ladakh. At the same time, Mark Meadows, White House Chief of Staff, had said that the United States is standing firm and continue to stand firm behind India in the Indo-China conflict. Thereafter, the US Congress too has jumped into the fray by openly supporting the Indian side.

US Secretary of Defence, Mark Esper, praised India during a function. Esper supported India, saying that the US-India joint war exercises held in the Indian Ocean clarify the commitment of both the countries to the Indo-Pacific region. These exercises further strengthen the cooperation between the two countries. This increasing military cooperation becomes a critical stage in the bilateral relations between the two countries in the 21st century.