Discussion on China-Pakistan alliance and naval preparations, Tharoor led the parliamentary committee

At a session of a committee of the Indian Parliament, intense deliberations were carried out on China and Pakistan's escalating military collaboration, including their joint action witnessed recently during the 'Operation Sindoor'. Concern was expressed within the committee on this front, and questions were raised about India's military preparedness and prospects. It is a parliamentary committee headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, and the issue that was on its agenda was: 'Indian Ocean Strategy: An Evaluation of India's'. Defence Secretary also attended on this occasion, i.e., Rajesh Kumar Singh, a former Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs, among other senior navy officials.

Some committee members, particularly opposition parties, were worried about the military cooperation between China and Pakistan. He also added that Bangladesh's increasing proximity to China is likely to be another strategic problem facing India. Congress lawmaker Deepender Singh Hooda also flagged India's defence spending. He added that India's defence spending against GDP is the lowest in the past few decades, a serious concern.

The Defense Secretary told the committee that the capacity of the Indian Navy is being constantly enhanced, and state-of-the-art equipment and technologies are being added to it. He said that the Navy is playing an important role in protecting the country's economic interests and is fully capable of facing any challenge. Naval officials also assured the committee that the Navy is fully prepared to protect India's maritime interests and that plans are being made for the long term.

Although Shashi Tharoor said that 'Operation Sindoor' was not discussed directly in the meeting, some strategic signals related to it were definitely discussed, especially China's military support to Pakistan. Some MPs said that Operation Sindoor clearly shows that Pakistan's military capabilities are based on technology and weapons received from China, which reflects the deep military ties between them.

The Foreign Ministry told the committee that many Chinese research and survey ships are deployed in the Indian Ocean region to collect marine and geological data, which are closely monitored by India, and diplomatic responses are given at the diplomatic level when needed.