India's former defense chief conceives 'China incursion': report

By Hao Zhou

India's former defense minister claimed Wednesday that China "is going to attack India very soon," resulting in the Parliament agreeing to discuss the possibility during an upcoming session.

Addressing the House, Mulayam Singh Yadav, leader of the opposition Samajwadi Party, claimed "he had definite information that China was preparing to attack India, eyeing huge tracts of its territory across several states," according to the Times of India.

Taking advantage of the position as a former defense minister, Yadav said he had access to information that "the attack (from China) may come anytime."

Separately, India's chief army general, Vijay Kumar Singh, also described on Sunday the regional security situation as "fragile."

"China is doing a great amount of infrastructure development. … Our problem is we are not very sure about the intentions. And when intentions change, with this capability, things can go wrong. And that is what is a matter of concern," he said.

Last week, India and the US finalized fresh defense deals worth a total of $5 billion.

"Yadav's statement on China's preparations for a 'surprise attack' is surprising," Shastri Ramachandaran, a senior journalist, said from New Delhi Wednesday. "More surprising is that the government should have agreed to discuss the possibility of the alleged 'China incursion.'"

"If there is truth in Yadav's claim, it is strange that the government should be awakened to the danger by a former defense minister. The discussion in Parliament should serve to bring out the truth," Ramachandaran added.

Separately, the Pakistani government voiced "serious concern and strong disappointment" Wednesday at Washington's backing for a permanent seat for India on the UN Security Council, AFP reported.