Beijing Will Help Pakistan Make Long-Range Missiles If India Continues To Develop ICBMs: Chinese Media

Rattled by India’s rapid missile development, Chinese state media on Thursday said that Beijing would not hesitate helping Pakistan develop Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) if India continues to develop long-range missiles.

In an Op-Ed published in the Global Times, the hawkish mouthpiece of China’s ruling establishment, the author batted for Pakistan saying that India has “broken” UN limits on nuclear arms and long-range missiles and Pakistan should also be accorded the same “privilege.”

Earlier, China had reacted strongly to India’s missile testing spree, saying that the country should comply with UN Security Council rules that govern missile development and should safeguard the strategic power balance in South Asia. China's Foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying in Beijing had said, "We have noted reports on India's test fire of Agni-V ballistic missile. The UN Security Council has explicit regulations on whether India can develop ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons."

Responding to China’s unthoughtful objection, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup had said that India’s strategic capabilities were not targeted against any particular country, adding that while it abides by all applicable international obligations, it expects others to do the same.

This is perhaps the best time to note that Pakistan, which has relatively cordial relations with every country in the continent except India, has missiles that can reach every piece of territory that New Delhi controls. India, on the other hand, faces security threats from China, and is working to develop credible deterrent against this ever growing threat. Therefore, to compare India and Pakistan on missile development, when the former faces far more serious threats, only points to the author’s ignorance and lack of understanding.