New Delhi [India], February 4 (ANI): Amid a US Pentagon report warning India about China’s long-term strategic ambitions, former US Marine intelligence officer Grant Newsham has cautioned India against trusting Beijing’s intentions. He said China could seek to strike elsewhere, possibly India, when global attention remains focused on Taiwan.
Newsham referred to China’s stated goal of achieving the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” by 2049 and said New Delhi must remain alert. He noted that as Chinese President Xi Jinping oversees major reorganizations within the People’s Liberation Army, there may be an incentive to test those forces.
In a conversation with ANI, Newsham said that while the world watches Taiwan with intense focus, China could look to attack another country. “I hope somebody’s ready for that,” he said, recalling advice he once received from a foreign reporter. “You should always look where everybody else isn’t. When all the focus is on Taiwan, it’s wise to look in other places as well.”
He said China’s public messaging is often deceptive and urged countries, particularly India, to remain vigilant. “Everything about the PR of the Chinese system is deceptive. While everyone’s looking at Taiwan and expecting something to happen at a certain time, I wouldn’t be surprised to be surprised,” he said, adding that potential flashpoints could include India, the Korean Peninsula, southern Japan, or the Philippines.
Newsham warned that focusing exclusively on Taiwan could leave other regions vulnerable. He said smart strategic thinking requires stepping back and assessing where China might act unexpectedly, noting that India must remain on that list of concerns.
He added that looking beyond where global attention is concentrated remains the best approach. While acknowledging that some voices in India, as in the US, downplay the China threat, Newsham said human nature often leads policymakers to fixate on one scenario while missing others.
Referring to China’s military history, Newsham noted that while the Chinese military has not fought a major war in decades, it has engaged in violent confrontations, including the clash with Indian troops in Galwan, Ladakh. He said China did not emerge favorably from that encounter, possibly suffering greater losses than officially acknowledged.
He cautioned against taking comfort in the idea that China is an untested force. “If you know what you’re about and you train well, you can adapt quickly,” he said, adding that the Chinese military only needs to be capable enough to achieve a specific objective at a specific place and time.
Earlier, a Pentagon report submitted to the US Congress flagged China’s claim over India’s Arunachal Pradesh as part of its stated “core interests,” highlighting Beijing’s broader national strategy aimed at achieving the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” by 2049. (ANI)
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