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India was the fourth largest military spender globally in 2023 with an expenditure of USD 83.6 billion, behind the US, China and Russia, according to a report by an independent international think-tank. The report by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) shared on its website in April also said the "rise" in global military spending last year can be attributed "primarily to the ongoing war in Ukraine and escalating geopolitical tensions in Asia and Oceania and the Middle East". The military expenditure went up in all five geographical regions, with major spending increases recorded in Europe, Asia and Oceania and the Middle East, it said. The report comes amid ongoing conflicts in various parts of the world such as the ones involving Israel-Hamas, Iran-Israel, Russian-Ukraine besides volatility in the Red Sea region. "World military expenditure increased for the ninth consecutive year in 2023, reaching a total of USD 2443 billion. The 6.8 per cent increase in 2023 was the steepest year-on-year rise since 2009 and pushed global spending to the highest level SIPRI has ever recorded," according to the report. The <keyword id="21404979" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-military-burden" source="keywords">world military burden</keyword> -- defined as military spending as a percentage of global gross domestic product (GDP) -- increased to 2.3 per cent in 2023. Average military expenditure as a share of government expenditure rose by 0.4 percentage points to 6.9 per cent in 2023 and world military spending per person was the highest since 1990 at USD 306, it added. With military expenditure of USD 83.6 billion in 2023, India was the "fourth largest spender globally". Indian spending was up by 4.2 per cent from 2022 and by 44 per cent from 2014. The increase in India's military spending was "mainly a result of growing personnel and operations costs" which made up almost 80 per cent of the total military budget in 2023, the <keyword id="20911352" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="SIPRI-report" source="keywords">SIPRI report</keyword> claimed. "This aligns with the government's priority to strengthen the operational readiness of the armed forces amid ongoing tensions with China and Pakistan. In comparison, capital outlays to fund military procurement remained relatively stable at around 22 per cent of the budget in 2023," it said. A total of 75 per cent of these outlays went towards equipments produced domestically, which was the highest level ever and up from 68 per cent in the previous year. The continued shift towards domestic procurement reflects India's goal of becoming self-reliant in arms development and production, the think-tank said in its repot fact sheet shared on its website. The Indian Army has maintained that deployment of its troops and other elements along the LAC is "extremely robust" and "balanced". The eastern <keyword id="21271073" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ladakh-border-standoff" source="keywords">Ladakh border standoff</keyword> erupted on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong Lake area. The ties between India and China nose-dived significantly following the clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades. SIPRI is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament. Established in 1966, it provides data, analysis and recommendations based on open sources to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public. The Stockholm-based think-tank monitors developments in military expenditure worldwide and maintains the most comprehensive, consistent and extensive publicly available data source on military expenditure, according to its online portal. The US military spending was USD 916 billion in 2023, which was 2.3 per cent more than in 2022 and 9.9 per cent more than in 2014, the report said. The US remained by far the largest spender in the world, allocating 3.1 times more to the military than the second largest spender China. "The biggest percentage increase among all US military spending categories in 2023 was for 'research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&amp;E)". The Stockholm-based think-tank also said in its report that Ukraine was the "eighth largest spender" in 2023 after a spending surge of 51 per cent to reach USD 64.8 billion. This gave Ukraine "a military burden of 37 per cent and represented 58 per cent of total government spending". "Ukraine's military spending in 2023 was 59 per cent the size of Russia's. However, Ukraine also received at least USD 35 billion in military aid during the year, including USD 25.4 billion from the US. Combined, this aid and Ukraine's own military spending were equivalent to about 91 per cent of Russian spending," the report claimed. According to the report, Russia's military spending increased by 24 per cent to an estimated USD 109 billion in 2023. "China, the world's second largest military spender, allocated an estimated USD 296 billion to the military in 2023, an increase of 6 per cent from 2022. This was the 29th consecutive year-on-year rise in China's military expenditure. China accounted for half of total military spending across the Asia and Oceania region. Several of China's neighbours have linked their own spending increases to China's rising military expenditure," the Stockholm-based think-tank claimed in its report. In 2023, the 31 <keyword id="20763732" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NATO-members" source="keywords">NATO members</keyword> accounted for USD 1,341 billion, equal to 55 per cent of the world's military expenditure, the report said. 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India fourth largest military spender globally in 2023: SIPRI report

<ul class="summary-list"><li>In a college talk, Palmer Luckey criticized AI restrictions in military use.</li><li>Luckey, founder of Anduril Industries, warned of adversaries like Russia and China using AI.</li></ul>The founder of one of the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/top-military-weapons-tech-startups-anduril-white-stork-shield-ai-2024-9">biggest defense tech startups</a> slammed potential restrictions on the use of artificial intelligence in the military, saying that the US and its allies need AI to combat adversaries making use of the technology.In a Tuesday talk at Pepperdine University, Palmer Luckey, the founder of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/palmer-luckey-anduril-defense-startup-funding-tesla-weapons-factory-2024-8">Anduril Industries</a>, said he fears that AI will be used by "evil people," while Western powers are being coerced into not using AI."There is a shadow campaign being waged in the United Nations by many of our adversaries to trick Western countries that fancy themselves morally aligned into not applying <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/top-defense-tech-vcs-to-know-2024-4">AI for weapons</a> or defense," Luckey said."What is the moral victory in being forced to use larger bombs with more collateral damage because we are not allowed to use systems that can penetrate past Russian or Chinese jamming systems and strike precisely?" he added.The 32-year-old founder slammed European countries, saying that they don't understand how adversaries to the West, like Russia, China, and Iran, are using Europe to "cripple all of us." He added that Iran is going to have access to great AI in the future, and that China already has great AI."You need the good people to have AI. You don't want the bad people to have AI but they are going to have it," Luckey said.<h2 id="4f8230c2-38a8-43ed-8d1f-60ed55467d72">A $14 billion company with close ties to the government</h2>Luckey founded Anduril in 2017, and the startup has since risen to the top of Silicon Valley's latest crop of <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-100-top-7-people-defense-tech-2023-11">defense tech</a> companies. He previously founded virtual reality company <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/facebook-meta-rebrand-kills-oculus-brand-vr-headset-quest-2021-10">Oculus</a> VR in 2012, which he sold two years later to Meta for $2 billion in cash and stock.By 2019, Anduril had contracts with more than a dozen Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security agencies. In 2022, <a target="_blank" rel=" nofollow" href="https://blog.anduril.com/special-operations-command-selects-anduril-industries-as-systems-integration-partner-e40da542f18d">Anduril won a contract</a> worth almost $1 billion with the Special Operations Command to support its counter-unmanned systems.Anduril's products include autonomous sentry towers along the Mexican border and Altius-600M attack drones supplied to Ukraine in their hundreds. During Tuesday's talk, Luckey said that all of Anduril's tech operates autonomously and runs on its AI platform, called Lattice.In August, the company was valued at $14 billion in a Series F fundraising round co-led by Founders Fund and Sands Capital. Luckey has said that the company aims to go public soon.Luckey is part of a larger group of Silicon Valley peers who advocate for the use of technology in the military — often products that they sell.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/ceo-palantir-says-expects-keep-114320303.html">Alex Karp</a>, the co-founder and CEO of Palantir, which produces counter-terrorism software, has repeatedly affirmed his support of the West, Ukraine, and Israel amid <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/palantir-direct-listing-filing-activist-media-criticism-could-hurt-business-2020-8">significant scrutiny</a> of the company's clients, including US immigration officials."We have a consistently pro-Western view that the West has a superior way of living and organizing itself, especially if we live up to our aspirations," Karp said in a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/17/style/alex-karp-palantir.html#:~:text=I%20asked%20if%20he%20agrees,going%20to%20feel%20left%20behind.%E2%80%9D">New York Times interview</a> in August."If you believe we should appease Iran, Russia, and China by saying we're going to be nicer and nicer and nicer, of course you'll look at Palantir negatively," he added.One of Anduril's cofounders and its current CEO, Brian Schimpf, was an early employee at Palantir.

Anduril's Palmer Luckey slammed restrictions on AI use in the military

Ah, <keyword id="18712" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gold" source="Orion">gold</keyword>! The shiny metal that's been making humans lose their minds since time immemorial. And yet, from King Midas to our neighbourhood aunty and even our moms (and secretly dads), everyone seems to have a super soft spot for the bullion. But here's the kicker: right now, gold prices are breaking all records on their upward trajectory! As of today, prices of 24k carat gold have passed the Rs 80,000 mark per 10 grams. And if experts are to be believed, this train isn't stopping anytime soon! So, as shiny as gold might look, adding even a bit of its glitter as we start decking up for the festive season might not be so easy on your pockets. But let's admit it—we love our gold and can't live without it. No wonder India is the second-largest consumer of the yellow metal in the world, only behind <keyword id="1334" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="China" source="Orion">China</keyword>. Such is our fondness for the metal that the <keyword id="20195223" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-gold-council" source="keywords">World Gold Council</keyword> had to up our 2024 annual demand forecast to 850 tonnes, up from the previously estimated 750 tonnes. However, our love for gold isn't just about looking fabulously embellished and blinding people with its bling. Indians also see gold as a long-term, trusty investment, supporting our other hard-earned assets, especially when high <keyword id="22195" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Inflation" source="Orion">inflation</keyword> rates pull our returns down. After all, while inflationary pressures generally weaken the purchasing power of our regular paper money, gold is built differently. When the world is buckling to inflation, gold gains value during these times. This is also why it is considered a solid hedge against inflation. With Diwali and Dhanteras knocking at our doors, the inflation demon continued to bother India like a guest who refused to leave. Just last month, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 5.49%, much higher than the anticipated levels. Moreover, the diverging policy stances among central bankers worldwide, growing geopolitical tensions, tough job markets, and extreme weather events are only adding to the uncertainty. In such economically uncertain times, what should your gold strategy be this festive season? To buy or not to buy, that is the question. Well, let’s get to it. <h2><keyword id="20050894" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="gold-etfs" source="keywords">Gold ETFs</keyword> to the rescue</h2>See, buying physical gold jewellery is certainly a flex, but also a financial fuss. First, you pay a heavy amount to buy gold. Not to mention all those extra, hefty jewellery-making charges. And then you pay even more money to keep it safe in a bank locker, lest it get stolen. But what if we tell you that you can own pure <keyword id="3311599" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="24K-gold" source="Orion">24k gold</keyword>, minus all these frills? Welcome, Gold ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds). Simply put, gold ETFs are like the cool cousins of your traditional gold investments. Instead of stashing gold bars under your mattress like those maniac millionaires we see in Bollywood films, you can now invest and trade in gold through the stock market. It's basically buying units of an ETF on the stock exchange that directly mirror the ongoing domestic prices of gold. Generally, gold ETFs are equivalent to 99.5% pure physical gold bars, and each ETF unit denotes actual, one gram of gold. And let's face it, who would not want that golden glow in their lives? Gold ETFs have witnessed an over seven-fold surge in their AUM (assets under management) in just the last five years. From Rs 5,613.22 crore in September 2019 to Rs 39,823.50 crore in September 2024, gold ETFs seem to be in-thing. Inflows in gold ETFs have shot up by a whopping 2,695% over the last 5 years. In September 2019, gold ETFs had garnered a mere Rs 44.11 crore. Compare that to the inflows worth Rs 1,232.99 crore gold ETFs received last month. Talk about growing, or glowing popularity! In fact, in just 2024, inflows in gold ETFs have surged by nearly 88% since the beginning of this calendar year. From Rs 657.46 crore in January 2024 to Rs 1,232.99 crore in September 2024, good old gold is never out of season. <h2>So, how do these ETFs work? Should I invest in them now?</h2>All you need is a Demat account. Log into your account, choose the gold ETF scheme you want to invest in, and voila! You’re now a bullion-aire! All your gold ETF units will be stored in this account. Then, you can buy and sell gold ETFs just like you buy shares—in real-time. So, if gold prices inch upwards, which is where gold is currently going, the value of your ETF units will also rise in lockstep. Ashwini Kumar, Senior Vice President and Head of Market Data at ICRA Analytics, says that of late, gold ETFs have been increasingly gaining popularity among investors due to the liquidity, safety and transparency they offer. "With the escalating global geopolitical tensions boosting the ‘safe-haven’ appeal of the bullion, investors are preferring to park their funds in gold ETFs as compared to investing in physical gold, as there is no hassle of storing it. The heightened activity in gold ETFs is also driven by the prospects of an imminent further interest rate cut by the <keyword id="20078761" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="u-s-federal-reserve" source="keywords">U.S. Federal Reserve</keyword> in the coming months,” he added. “Investors with a short- to medium-term investment horizon may consider investment through gold ETFs. A buy-on-dips strategy here may help investors capitalise on a temporary correction in prices. Also, given the current market dynamics where equities are showing mixed trends, a modest, 5-10% allocation to gold may serve as a hedge against inflation and market volatility, which may help you balance risks in an optimum manner,” Kumar noted. <h2> Wait, there is no dearth of options</h2>But if ETFs make you go WTF, there’s always digital gold. You can invest in the yellow metal without actually physically holding it for as low as Rs 1. The best part? You can buy or sell this gold 24 X7 seamlessly via multiple apps without having to pay storage costs. On your behalf, your gold is stored in insured vaults by the seller. But remember, digital gold continues to remain unregulated territory in the country, where you venture at your own risk. In 2021, market watchdog SEBI had even asked its members to desist from selling digital gold. Then there are gold mutual funds and the Sarkari SGBs, or sovereign gold bonds. While gold mutual funds invest primarily in gold ETFs, SGBs are issued by the <keyword id="19899808" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rbi" source="keywords">RBI</keyword> and are also a reliable substitute for holding physical gold. However, with the RBI currently putting brakes on issuing SGBs, investing in them is out of the question. Plus, you should only get your hands on SGBs if you're in for the long haul. Apart from a 2.5% p.a. interest, you don't have any yearly earnings from them. Moreover, no premature redemption is allowed before 5 years, and you'll have to wait a good 8 years to maximise your returns. <h2> Okay, tell me about returns</h2>In contrast, the seventeen gold ETF schemes currently present in the market offer an average one-year return of 29.12%. Stay with it a little longer, and you can end up with returns worth 16.93% and 13.59% over a 3 and 5-year period, respectively. If you look at it, these returns are comparable with the returns delivered by actual, physical gold. Data from Value Research indicates that gold, as a commodity, has delivered returns worth 27.24%, 16.53%, and 14.18% over a 1, 3, and 5-year period, respectively. So, worth investing, right? <h2>What are the risks?</h2>See, stock markets are as unpredictable as monsoons in Mumbai. One significant market correction can wash away your returns, and one sunny day or an upswing can leave you wallowing in wealth. Since your gold investments are directly linked to these markets, you should steel yourself up for some volatility. Plus, international gold prices are in dollars. So, if our rupee decides to take a nosedive, your returns might look a bit tarnished. Also, know that your ETF might not always perfectly mirror gold prices, which is also known as a tracking error. It's like expecting your Zomato-ordered food to look exactly like the picture on the menu—it's close, but not quite. Then there’s the taxation bit. The budget this year brought down the <keyword id="20552259" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ltcg" source="keywords">LTCG</keyword> (long-term capital gains tax) on gold ETFs from the previous 20% to 12.5% (sans indexation). LTCG is what you pay if you sell your ETF units after 12 months. If you sell your gold ETF units within a year and make handsome returns, the tax you’ll have to pay will be equivalent to your income tax slab rate. <h2>Is gold just for old?</h2>A survey by fintech firm Moneyview thinks otherwise. Per their findings, over 85% of the 3,000 respondents it talked to considered gold to be a valuable asset for wealth preservation, with its intrinsic value and historical performance continuing to drive consumer confidence. Particularly, young investors in the age group of 25–40 years are also investing in gold via both physical and digital ways to build wealth for retirement and other long-term goals. So, young or old, everyone’s going for gold. So, this festive season, with gold prices going north, investing in gold can add that much-needed glitz to your financial attire. But remember, don't go overboard since gold isn't exactly a high-return-yielding asset. But whether you're a seasoned investor looking to diversify or a newbie trying to make their way in the markets, investing in gold offers you a glittering safety cushion. Just remember, while gold can make your portfolio shine, it's your smart investment decisions that truly make you golden. Disclaimer: The content on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. We recommend readers consult certified, qualified, and registered advisors for professional and personalised financial advice.

Can investing in gold this festive season add the much-touted Midas touch to your investments?

<ul class="summary-list"><li>India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Russia to visit its president Vladimir Putin. </li><li>It's a visit that risks annoying India's ally the US. </li></ul>When India's prime minister arrived in Moscow on Tuesday, he greeted Russia's famously chilly president, Vladimir Putin, with an exuberant bear hug.It was a move likely <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/modi-putin-russia-india-relationship-not-worried-us-biden-mad-2024-7">to rile the US, </a>India's most important geopolitical ally, which has placed pressure on New Delhi to loosen its ties with Russia over Putin's invasion of Ukraine.But Prime Minister Narendra Modi's fear of China — a key Russian ally — means that he's willing to risk American anger to keep Putin close."New Delhi sees Moscow as an important buffer in their relationship due to Moscow's strong ties with Beijing," Sarang Shidore, an analyst at the Quincy Institute, told Business Insider."It is not in Russia's interest to have China and India at loggerheads, so it could, to a degree, act as a restraining agent."<h2 id="0ad4840d-1eb0-4f3e-a27c-3953a5a682f0">India ignores US pressure to cut Russia ties</h2>During the Cold War, the Soviet Union was among India's most important allies, with the Kremlin providing military support during India's clashes with Pakistan.They've remained close ever since, but the relationship is being tested anew in the fallout from the Ukraine war.The US has attempted to persuade India to take part <a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-united-nations-general-assembly-biden-narendra-modi-india-82c9273cf3143cf16e9da23c3dd48170">in its campaign to isolate</a> Russia over the Ukraine invasion — but with little success."Russia is one of India's oldest strategic partners, and New Delhi wants to maintain this relationship regardless of Russia's diplomatic isolation following the war in Ukraine," Rahul Bhatia, an analyst at the Eurasia Group, told BI.India has increased its purchase of Russian goods, including oil and fertilizer, at reduced prices after the US imposed sanctions on Russia.It continues to buy Russian armaments, with around <a target="_blank" href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/more-than-60-70-of-india-armed-forces-equipped-with-russian-origin-weapons-indian-envoy/articleshow/76903811.cms?from=mdr">70% of its weapons systems believed to be Russian</a>-made, and its military reliant on the Kremlin for spare parts and upgrades."Taking a hardline position against Russia could have both economic and security ramifications for India," said Richard Rossow, an analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.<h2 id="a68bd311-605c-44db-97ac-44c2056c27c0">China's threat to India increases</h2>The threat from Chinese leader Xi Jinping is another key factor in Modi's determination to ignore US pressure and retain good ties with Putin.China's regional might is growing, and it's menacing India, Asia's other major economic power.In 2020, a long-simmering border dispute resulted in deadly clashes between Indian and Chinese troops. China ha<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-produces-vast-undersea-maps-submarine-warfare-report-says-2024-1">s bolstered its presence in the Indian Ocean</a>, and the two are jostling for influence in countries in the region.China has built stronger ties with Russia in the wake of the Ukraine invasion, hoping a Russian victory<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/xi-china-putin-russia-frenemies-limits-power-sphere-influence-2024-7"> will damage US power and enhance its own global</a> might. And it's this friendship Modi's seeking to drive a wedge between."There is a real chance of future conflicts, and India would prefer to avoid Russia exporting advanced military hardware to China," said Rossow.Some Indian analysts believe that China poses a greater threat to Russia than NATO in the long term and that India can exploit those differences."The Russia-China 'alliance' may be short-term in nature, and that historical conflicts between the two, such as over their long border and under-developed natural resources in Russia's east, will resurface and trigger renewed tensions," said Morrow.But for the time being, Russia's new "no limits"<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-economy-china-no-limits-partnership-yuan-bank-loans-sanctions-2024-2"> partnership has got Modi worried</a>, and he'll likely be hoping for a swift end to the Ukraine war. By maintaining good relations with Putin he's hoping he can contain the fallout."The war does not at all benefit its interests. The war also opens the door to legitimizing violations of territorial integrity, and endangers a principle that New Delhi has backed strongly," said Shidore.

Fear of China is behind India's exuberant display of friendship with Vladimir Putin 

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Russia has suffered serious losses in Ukraine, including more than 600,000 casualties, per US estimates.</li><li>But a top US general warns Moscow still has dangerous forces that haven't been affected by the war.</li></ul>Russia has suffered significant losses in Ukraine, but its military still has dangerous combat forces available that have barely been affected by the conflict, the top US general in Europe warned this week."The Russian military we see operating in Ukraine, and the punches it's been taking, has to be viewed in the context of their entire military structure," Gen. Christopher Cavoli, the commander of US European Command, said in an interview with the Atlantic Council.Cavoli, also the NATO alliance's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, said Russia still has forces that "have been barely touched" by the Ukraine war, including its long-range aviation, strategic rocket forces, defensive units, and undersea assets. He said most of Moscow's tactical air force has not yet been committed to the conflict."So while there have been significant, significant losses in the ground domain, in the rest of the military structure of Russia, there remains a huge amount of capability — both conventional and nuclear — and so it's necessary to keep that in mind," Cavoli said during the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.atlanticcouncil.tv/videos/so-whats-the-strategy-for-nato-part2">video interview</a> with the think tank, which was released on Tuesday.<div type="image" title="Russian soldiers ride a self-propelled mortar at an undisclosed location in Ukraine in October." height="1438" width="2555" msid="114519552" hostid="261" sizebytes="422596"></div>Throughout the war, Russia has made efforts to flaunt its military capabilities beyond Ukraine, like carrying out <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-submarine-photographed-by-nato-ally-in-baltic-sea-2024-7">submarine exercises in the Baltic Sea</a> and increased undersea activity in the Atlantic, flying <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-china-bombers-intercepted-near-us-alaska-for-first-time-2024-7">military aircraft with China</a> near Alaska, conducting nuclear readiness drills, and attempting to test new <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-icbm-test-fail-hints-at-new-missile-problems-analysts-2024-9">long-range ballistic missiles</a>.However, Moscow's military demonstrations abroad come against the backdrop of its setbacks in Ukraine; what Russian President Vladimir Putin expected to be a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/vladimir-putin-russian-forces-could-take-kyiv-ukraine-two-days-2022-3">swift and decisive victory</a> has become a bloody conflict inching closer to the three-year mark.Western intelligence <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/DefenceHQ/status/1843198787097124968">estimates</a> that Russia has suffered well over 600,000 casualties since the start of the war in Ukraine and is averaging more than 1,200 losses each day — a trend that is likely to continue. Meanwhile, Moscow is <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/02/attack-on-europe-documenting-equipment.html">thought to have lost</a> a massive amount of military equipment, including thousands of tanks and armored vehicles.Cavoli explained during the Atlantic Council interview that while Russia's ground forces have suffered severe losses fighting in Ukraine, Moscow has taken notable strides to build them back up.<div type="image" title="Russian soldiers load a short-range ballistic missile launcher during tactical nuclear weapons training in June." height="1449" width="2168" msid="114519553" hostid="261" sizebytes="65886"></div>"The military force — the ground force — inside Ukraine today is significantly larger than the ground force that was there in the beginning of the war," Cavoli said, "so the Russian army has actually grown during this period.""Now, there's some quality problems, and some of the equipment may not be the newest, but that again is localized to the ground forces," he said. "Russia has a plan to reconstitute that ground force and to deploy it, again, on the borders of NATO.""It's a plan they've made public that they've talked about, and it's something we have to take very seriously," he added.Cavoli's remarks this week signal <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/top-us-general-russia-growing-back-pre-war-military-strength-2024-4">his latest warnings</a> of the continued Russian threat. The American general — like other top US officials — has said on multiple occasions over the past few months that <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-military-almost-completely-reconstituted-after-ukraine-losses-us-official-2024-4">Moscow is still dangerous</a> and is making up for its wartime losses.

Russia's military still has dangerous combat forces 'barely touched' by the Ukraine war, top US general in Europe warns

<ul class="summary-list"><li>"We will not stop at that (three carriers)," India's defense minister recently said.</li><li>Five or six aircraft carriers would give India a force equal to that of China.</li></ul>India may build a fleet of five to six new aircraft carriers, according to a comment from the country's defense minister that's been widely debated about whether that's a good strategy or if the offhand remark was even serious.The Indian Navy operates two small aircraft carriers. Four more would give India a carrier force on par with China's growing one. And it would not be much smaller — at least in number of vessels — than the US Navy's 11 supercarriers.But whether this ambitious shipbuilding project will happen is another matter. Many Indian experts are convinced it's a bad idea.Exactly what the Indian government is thinking isn't clear. During an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/work-on-third-aircraft-carrier-to-start-soon-more-to-follow-says-rajnath-621319">interview</a> with an Indian newspaper regarding plans to construct a third aircraft carrier, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said India would build yet more. "We will not stop at that (three carriers)," he said. "We will make five, six more."Some Indian experts aren't sure the government is even serious about this. The defense minister "seemingly made an off-the-cuff remark that was picked up by the media," Abhijit Singh, a former Indian naval officer and now an analyst at the Observer Research Foundation think tank in New Delhi, told Business Insider. "He was only trying to dispel suggestions that the government is resistant to a proposal for a third aircraft carrier."Nonetheless, there are compelling reasons why India might want a large carrier fleet. India's rival China now has three carriers, including the newly launched 80,000-ton <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chinas-newest-aircraft-carrier-seen-with-aircraft-mock-ups-images-2024-4">Fujian</a>, and may aim for a fleet of six carriers by 2035. China — which <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chinese-troops-beat-indian-soldiers-batons-wrapped-in-barbed-wire-2020-6">fought</a> border clashes with India in the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/after-himalayan-clash-india-prepares-navy-to-take-on-china-2021-6">Himalayas</a> in 2020 — is beginning to project its power into the <a target="_blank" href="https://warontherocks.com/2024/05/its-still-the-indian-ocean-parsing-sino-indian-naval-competition-where-it-counts/">Indian Ocean</a>, which is India's maritime backyard."It is expected that the Chinese will permanently station one of its CBGs [carrier battle groups] in the Indian Ocean, supported by its various bases in Djibouti (on the western edge of the Indian Ocean), <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rapid-construction-at-cambodia-base-amid-concern-about-china-presence-2021-6">Ream in Cambodia</a> (on the eastern edge of the Indian Ocean), and Gwadar in Pakistan, Hambantota in Sri Lanka, and Kyaukpyu in Myanmar," warned India's <a target="_blank" href="https://swarajyamag.com/defence/countering-chinas-expansion-india-to-build-five-to-six-more-aircraft-carriers-in-future-defence-minister-rajnath-singh">Swarajya</a> magazine.Interestingly, Swarajya magazine also suggested that carriers could project Indian power into the South China Sea, which is China's maritime backyard. Indian warships have periodically sailed in those waters.<div type="image" title="A view from the sloped bow of the INS Vikrant that carries MiG-29K fighter jets." height="1333" width="2000" msid="110619274" hostid="261" sizebytes="239670"></div>India has two carriers of around 45,000 tons each: the Vikramaditya (a refurbished former Soviet vessel) and the Vikrant, India's first home-built carrier. Both are <a target="_blank" href="https://interestingengineering.com/lists/ski-jumps-catapults-aircraft-carrier">ski-jump</a> designs that launch the troubled Soviet-era MiG-29K under its own power because it lacks catapults. Despite early speculation that the proposed third carrier would be a 65,000-ton ski-jump design similar to Britain's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/uks-flagship-carrier-embarrassing-setback-pulls-out-big-nato-exercise-2024-2">Queen Elizabeth-class</a>, the Indian government appears to be opting for a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsweek.com/india-third-aircraft-carrier-china-indian-pacific-ocean-region-1847935">45,000-ton vessel</a> similar to the Vikrant, and carrying French-made <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/frances-rafale-fighter-jet-popular-dassault-cant-keep-up-2024-3">Rafale fighters</a>.This means that Indian carriers would continue to be less than half the size of the 100,000-ton, nuclear-powered US Nimitz- and Ford-class behemoths, which are equipped with steam or electromagnetic catapults that can launch heavier planes, especially airborne early warning aircraft; China's Fujian also uses an advanced electromagnetic catapult. They would also be less expensive, with the third Indian carrier estimated at around $5 billion, compared to $13 billion for a Ford-class carrier.In fact, some Indian naval experts would prefer a larger carrier equipped with catapults. "Small aircraft carriers, like those India possesses, are increasingly vulnerable and unlikely to play a significant role in future conflicts," Singh, the defense analyst, said. "Unfortunately, the country lacks the funding for a large carrier and can only afford another small flattop. This presents a predicament with no easy solutions."On the other hand, there is a reason why America builds enormously expensive aircraft carriers. Its global interests arguably require the ability to dispatch and maintain floating airfields around the world, often in distant places where airbases aren't available. For India and China, which have a more regional focus, smaller vessels may suffice.For India, carriers are more than floating airfields. They are symbols of national power. Thus regardless of their military utility against a powerful adversary like China, carriers would enable India support other operations, such as humanitarian, peacekeeping and anti-piracy missions."The consensus among India's maritime observers is that the aircraft carrier remains central to maritime strategy, not just for its ability to dominate the littoral but also for its crucial peacetime role," said Abhijit Singh. "In less-than-war situations, the flattop can shift the psychological balance in ways no other naval platform can. Despite its drawbacks, the aircraft carrier's aura and impact in peacetime operations are unmatched."Michael Peck is a defense writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Defense News, Foreign Policy magazine, and other publications. He holds an MA in political science from Rutgers Univ. Follow him on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.twitter.com/@mipeck1">Twitter</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mipeck/">LinkedIn</a>.

A bizarre comment stirred speculation India may try to match China's carrier fleet 

<ul class="summary-list"><li>SEAL Team 6 is reportedly readying for a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan.</li><li>SEAL Team 6's small size and skillsets likely limit its role, though it would still have a part.</li></ul>Could SEAL Team 6 special operators help Taiwan fend off a Chinese invasion? That is what the elite special operations unit has been preparing for over a year, according to recent reporting from the<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ft.com/content/0a535bbd-767e-406a-8624-1af9cb7246f7"> Financial Times</a>.Increasingly self-assured, Beijing is undergoing an expansive military modernization program that seeks to build a military on par with that of the US to defend and pursue its national interests, a major one being Taiwan.China's fixation on Taiwan and stated willingness to use force to achieve its aims is a point of concern for the US. American military planners continue to work through war games to fend off a Chinese invasion of the island nation. In the last two decades of conflict, special operations forces played a leading role in how the US military fought. Naturally, many expect the special operations community to play a similarly large role in a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/navy-seal-team-six-preparing-china-invasion-of-taiwan-report-2024-9">conflict with China over Taiwan</a>.That expectation, however, may be a bit off the mark, a former SEAL shared.<h2 id="40eb678f-9c6b-4825-8f94-183af0d5e7c4">SEAL Team 6 in a fight over Taiwan</h2>"Besides some high-end maritime missions, I doubt DEVGRU would play a big role directly fighting off a Chinese invasion in Taiwan," a former Navy SEAL officer told Insider. "You don't use a scalpel for a job a hammer can do," he said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of his ongoing work with the government, added.The Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU), formerly known as SEAL Team 6, is the Navy's top-tier special operations outfit. Alongside the Army's Delta Force, DEVGRU is the go-to special missions unit for counterterrorism and hostage rescue operations anytime and anywhere. The unit famously rescued Maersk Alabama container ship captain Richard Phillips from Somali pirates in 2009 and killed Osama bin Laden in 2011.<div type="image" title="Navy SEALs engaged in a clearing operation at a training facility." height="5504" width="8256" msid="114376203" hostid="261" sizebytes="7133278"></div>"People don't understand what tier one units are all about," said the former frogman, a term for Navy SEALs. "They achieve another level of proficiency in certain mission sets so that they can excel at those missions. They aren't intended to go after every mission available, especially if another SOF [special operations] unit is more suited for it."A large-scale invasion of Taiwan would mainly be a conventional fight. A unit like the Army's 75th Ranger Regiment, the premier light infantry special operations unit, would probably be much more useful in fighting back Chinese invasion forces on Taiwanese soil than a small group of SEAL Team 6 assaulters."However, DEVGRU would definitely play a role in a broader conflict with China. If we're talking about US troops fighting in Taiwan, then it means a decision to go to war with China over Taiwan. In a situation like that, DEVGRU would likely go after strategic targets to enable the Big Navy and the wider conventional military in their tasks," the former SEAL officer said.Strategic targets like air bases, ports, and anti-access, aerial denial (A2/AD) installations, which are designed to take out US carrier groups or repel air operations, would be at the top of the target deck for US special operations units. SEAL Team 6 and the Army's Delta Force would likely go after such targets to limit the ability of the Chinese military to wage war and support an invasion of Taiwan.<div type="image" title="A Navy SEAL during a nighttime dive. The operator's head is visible out of the water through night-vision imaging." height="916" width="1421" msid="114376198" hostid="261" sizebytes="42280"></div>The Chinese navy, particularly, would be a primary target as it would be Beijing's direct link to the invasion force on Taiwan. SEAL Team 6, alongside other SEAL units, could go after Chinese warships and logistics vessels in port for resupply and use stealthy maritime insertion techniques to place limpet mines on ships and sensory equipment in and around naval facilities.<h2 id="7735ae38-d40d-40a8-ac04-751980652a47">A small community</h2>Another reason why SEAL Team 6 would likely have a much more limited role in direct combat on Taiwan has to do with its size. Although official numbers are classified, it is believed that SEAL Team 6 has around 300 assaulters, with hundreds of military and civilian support personnel. As such, commanders will generally only use the unit for the most important missions.<div type="image" title="A Navy SEAL holding a service weapon during a training exercise." height="4655" width="6982" msid="114376200" hostid="261" sizebytes="699022"></div>The elite unit took a heavy hit 13 years ago when it lost 25 assaulters and direct support troops when the CH-47 Chinook they were flying on crashed after a direct hit by a Taliban fighter; in total, 38 US and Afghan troops were killed. The incident was the deadliest day in the history of US special operations and naval special warfare.SEAL Team 6 represents the cream of the crop of the SEAL community. It recruits solely from the SEAL Teams, so all of its assaulters are already<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sandboxx.us/news/the-navy-seal-teams-two-original-and-little-known-missions/">Navy SEALs</a>. The unit has four assault squadrons, divided by color: Blue, Red, Gold, and Silver. And the direct support personnel serving with the unit will often have passed, depending on their role, Green Team, SEAL Team 6's physically and technically rigorous selection process.

SEAL Team 6 is said to be training for a fight with China over Taiwan. Here's what it could do if Beijing invades.

India on Monday insisted on restoration of status quo ante of April and comprehensive disengagement of troops by China from all the friction points in eastern Ladakh to resolve the border standoff, government sources said, as the two countries held a seventh round of military talks. The Corps commander-level talks began at around 12 noon in Chushul on the Indian side of the <keyword id="49399" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Line-of-Actual-Control">Line of Actual Control</keyword> (LAC) in eastern Ladakh and continued beyond 8:30 PM, they said. As the border standoff entered the sixth month, an early resolution to the row appeared dim with close to 100,000 Indian and Chinese troops remaining deployed in the high-altitude region and showing readiness for a long-haul. There is no official word on the talks yet but sources said the agenda was to finalise a roadmap for disengagement of troops from all the friction points. The Indian delegation is led by Lt Gen Harinder Singh, the commander of the Leh-based 14 Corps, and includes Naveen Srivastava, Joint Secretary (East Asia) in the Ministry of External Affairs(MEA). It is learnt an official of the Chinese foreign ministry is also part of the Chinese delegation. The sources said India pressed for an early and complete disengagement of troops by China from all the friction points besides demanding immediate restoration of status quo ante in all areas of eastern Ladakh prior to April. The standoff began on May 5. The China Study Group (CSG) comprising Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and the three service chiefs on Friday finalised India's strategy for the military talks. The CSG is India's key policy making body on China. Ahead of the talks, sources said India will also strongly oppose any demand by China for withdrawal of Indian troops from several strategic heights on the southern bank of the Pangong lake to kick-start the disengagement process. During the sixth round of Corps commander talks on September 21, the Chinese People's Liberation Army(PLA) insisted on withdrawal of troops by the Indian Army from several strategic heights in Mukhpari, Rezang La and Magar hill areas around the southern bank of Pangong lake. Indian troops had occupied the strategic heights after the PLA soldiers attempted to intimidate them in the southern bank of Pangong lake on the intervening night of August 29 and 30. India has been maintaining that the disengagement process has to start simultaneously at all the friction points. At the talks, the two sides were expected to further explore steps to maintain stability on the ground and avoid any action that may trigger fresh tension in the region where troops from the Indian army and the PLA will be facing difficult conditions in the next four months due to harsh winter, the sources said. Following the sixth round of military talks, the two sides announced a slew of decisions including not to send more troops to the frontline, refrain from unilaterally changing the situation on the ground and avoid taking any actions that may further complicate matters. The military talks were held with a specific agenda of exploring ways to implement a five-point agreement reached between Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at a meeting in Moscow on September 10 on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO) conclave. The pact included measures like quick disengagement of troops, avoiding action that could escalate tensions, adherence to all agreements and protocols on border management and steps to restore peace along the LAC. Days after the military talks, the two sides held diplomatic parleys under the framework of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on border affairs, but no concrete outcome emerged from the negotiations on September 30. After the diplomatic talks, the MEA said it was agreed that the next round of the meeting of senior commanders should be held at an early date so that both sides can work towards an early and complete disengagement of the troops along the LAC in accordance with the existing bilateral agreement and protocols. Naveen Srivastava, who has been leading the Indian side at the WMCC talks, also attended the military parleys on September 21 for the first time. It is Lt Gen Singh's last round of talks with the PLA in the current standoff as he is due to take charge as head of the prestigious Indian Military Academy(IMA) this week. His successor at the 14 Corps Lt Gen PGK Menon is also part of the Indian delegation. At the previous six rounds of military talks, the Indian side insisted on complete disengagement of Chinese troops at the earliest, and immediate restoration of status quo ante in all areas of eastern Ladakh prior to April. The situation in eastern Ladakh deteriorated following at least three attempts by the Chinese soldiers to "intimidate" Indian troops along the northern and southern bank of Pangong lake area between August 29 and September 8 where even shots were fired in the air for the first time at the LAC in 45 years. As tensions escalated further, the foreign ministers of India and China held talks in Moscow on September 10 where they reached a five-point agreement to defuse the situation in eastern Ladakh. The agreement was the basis for the sixth round of Corps commander-level talks. In the last three months, the Indian Army rushed tanks, heavy weaponry, ammunition, fuel, food and essential winter supplies to various treacherous and high-altitude areas of the region to maintain combat readiness through the harsh winter of around four months starting around mid-October. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/china-launches-earth-observation-satellite-amid-border-tensions-with-india/articleshow/78613147.cms">China launches Earth observation satellite amid border tensions with India</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/massive-power-cut-reported-across-mumbai-discom-points-finger-at-tatas/articleshow/78613787.cms">Massive power cut across Mumbai due to grid failure —electricity restored in certain areas</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/sitharaman-offers-states-12000-crore-interest-free-for-the-next-50-years-if-they-can-spend-it-on-capital-projects-by-march-2021/articleshow/78616741.cms">Sitharaman offers states ₹12,000 crore interest-free for the next 50 years if they can spend it on capital projects by March 2021</a>

India insists China disengages from all friction points along LAC at 7th round of military talks

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Xi Jinping is in a struggle with China's military, purging senior commanders to reshape it.</li><li>He wants generals ready and willing to go to war, analysts told Business Insider.</li></ul>Xi Jinping is fighting with China's own military, seeking to purge commanders he sees as unwilling or unable to go to war, military analysts told Business Insider.The Chinese leader is "trying to gain control of the military, and I think that he is thinking that he needs officers who are prepared to actually fight," said Gordon Chang, a senior fellow at the Gatestone Institute and author of "China Is Going to War.""There is a sense that many of China's general officers don't want to fight," according to Chang. "And so we really have a force led by an officer corps that is ambivalent about going to war."Since taking power in 2012, Xi has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/chinas-modernizing-military">overhauled China's military</a> by cutting deep into its personnel, seeking to improve military-civilian cooperation, and reshaping its structure, among other reforms.His efforts reached a crescendo on December 29, 2023, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/china/sweeping-chinese-military-purge-exposes-weakness-could-widen-2023-12-30/">when Xi dismissed nine senior officers in one stroke</a>.Since then, <a target="_blank" href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/China-s-military-purge-highlights-persistence-of-corruption">reports</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-01-06/us-intelligence-shows-flawed-china-missiles-led-xi-jinping-to-purge-military?leadSource=uverify%20wall">US intelligence</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://edition.cnn.com/2024/01/05/china/china-xi-military-purge-analysis-intl-hnk/index.html">have</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/china/sweeping-chinese-military-purge-exposes-weakness-could-widen-2023-12-30/">suggested</a> the decisions were to root out corruption — a motive <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-41670162">often cited</a> when Chinese officials are abruptly dismissed.However, to Chang, this theory misses the point."Because if that were the case, all of them would be sacked," he said.For him, Xi is likely purging officers who are reluctant to go to war.He cited Chinese Air Force General Liu Yazhou, who <a target="_blank" href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/20/not-all-in-chinas-military-view-taiwan-the-west-as-primary-threat">cautioned against an invasion of Taiwan</a> and received a suspended death sentence in February 2022, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.asianews.it/news-en/General-Liu-Yazhou,-an-admirer-of-Christianity,-sentenced-to-death-58238.html">per the AsiaNews agency</a>.BI also spoke to Joel Wuthnow, a senior research fellow in the Center for the Study of Chinese Military Affairs at the National Defense University in Washington, DC.He argued that rooting out corruption and readying China for war were aligned goals."The removals indicate that Xi should be concerned about the quality of people and equipment he has invested in over the last decade," he said.The nine senior commanders were involved in China's Rocket Force, which would have a crucial role in any military campaign, said Wuthnow."If that equipment malfunctions or can't be relied on, how confident can Xi and his colleagues be that the PLA will prevail?" Wuthnow asked.<h2>Xi is talking himself and China into a conflict</h2>China has been engaged in low-level hostilities with many of its near neighbors.There is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-acknowledges-deaths-in-indian-border-clash-for-first-time-2021-2?r=US&amp;IR=T">India in the disputed Himalayas</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-has-shifted-tactics-in-senkaku-islands-2014-10?r=US&amp;IR=T">Japan in the East China Sea</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/decaying-ship-stands-as-philippines-defense-against-china-sea-claims-2023-11?r=US&amp;IR=T">the Philippines in the South China Sea</a>, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/xi-biden-china-going-take-over-taiwan-war-report-apec-2023-12?r=US&amp;IR=T">Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory</a>.China's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taiwan-threatens-to-forcefully-drive-away-chinese-fighters-2019-4?r=US&amp;IR=T">incursions</a> in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taiwan-38-chinese-planes-including-nuclear-capable-bombers-in-airspace-2021-10?r=US&amp;IR=T">Taiwan</a>'s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chinese-flights-around-taiwan-effort-to-improve-asw-capability-2021-4?r=US&amp;IR=T">air</a>-<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/pentagon-operating-cold-war-era-bombers-against-chinas-growing-might-2020-9?r=US&amp;IR=T">defense</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-pressure-on-taiwan-by-increasing-drone-flights-near-islands-2022-9?r=US&amp;IR=T">zone</a> over the last five years have prompted some <a target="_blank" href="https://breakingdefense.com/2022/10/navy-leader-cant-rule-out-chinese-invasion-of-taiwan-even-earlier-than-2027/">US Navy</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/us-air-force-general-predicts-war-china-2025-memo-rcna67967">Air Force</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://media.defense.gov/2023/Apr/24/2003205865/-1/-1/1/07-AMONSON%20&amp;%20EGLI_FEATURE%20IWD.PDF">officials</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.rand.org/pubs/commentary/2016/04/xis-purge-of-the-military-prepares-the-chinese-army.html">military</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/china-appoints-admiral-dong-jun-new-defence-minister-but-opacity-reigns/articleshow/106478692.cms?from=mdr">observers</a> to <a target="_blank" href="https://breakingdefense.com/2023/10/in-chinas-military-purge-final-outcomes-remain-to-be-seen/">predict</a> that China would invade Taiwan in the next few years.However, to Chang, it is impossible to determine where the big flare-up could come from."I don't think that we can say, 'Oh, it's Taiwan or whatever'," he said, despite the island occupying the most attention in Western deabtes about China's military intentions.He noted that Xi has been ramping up warlike rhetoric.In his New Year's address, Xi said China "will surely be reunified, and all Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose and share in the glory of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," according to the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/zxxx_662805/202312/t20231231_11215608.html#:~:text=Going%20forward%2C%20we%20have%20full,sustained%20the%20momentum%20of%20recovery.">official translation</a> of his speech.Xi drove the message home in a recent face-to-face meeting with Biden, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/china/xi-warned-biden-summit-beijing-will-reunify-taiwan-china-rcna130087">NBC News reported.</a> The network said Xi told Biden at the APEC summit in San Francisco in November 2023 that China intended to take control of Taiwan.It continued previous interactions on those lines — in November 2021, Xi <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/xi-warns-biden-us-is-playing-with-fire-taiwan-2021-11?r=US&amp;IR=T">warned</a> Biden that his administration was "playing with fire" and urged Biden not to encourage Taiwanese independence, calling it "dangerous."This is significant, Chang said, because it creates "markers" for Xi's political enemies; with such statements, he could be "talking himself and China into a war," he said.Wuthnow, however, believes Xi is now more cautious following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, having seen it destabilize Vladimir Putin's domestic position and fearing the same could happen to him."Russia has paid an enormous price for its misadventure, and China would as well. Moreover, a failed invasion would be worse for Xi politically than not trying at all," he said.<h2>A Chinese invasion could drag the US into WWIII</h2>All the conditions are in place for a third world war, Chang said: There is widespread conflict — war in Ukraine, insurgencies in Africa, Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza, and military activity in the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Indian Ocean."Remember, in the 1930s, there were separate wars that merged into what we now call World War II," he said."The same dynamics exist today, and it's entirely possible, and some people can even argue that it's probable that these will merge into a global conflict," Chang said.A Chinese invasion in East Asia would drag Western countries into something larger, he predicted."I think that Xi Jinping is taking two pages out of Mao's Peasant Revolution playbook.""One of them was to encircle the cities from the countryside. And in this, I think that Xi Jinping views Ukraine, north Africa, Israel as the countryside, and the United States as the city," he said.

Xi Jinping is in a battle with China's own military, and the outcome could drag the US into WWIII

India and China on Monday held the seventh round of high-level military talks with a sole agenda of finalising a roadmap for disengagement of troops from all the friction points in eastern Ladakh. As the border standoff entered the sixth month, an early resolution to the row appears dim. The talks at the Corps commander level began at around 12 noon in Chushul on the Indian side of the <keyword id="49399" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Line-of-Actual-Control">Line of Actual Control</keyword> (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, official sources said. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="78162853" title="India-China decide ‘early date’ needed for military talks on border issue — but stalemate continues" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> The Indian delegation is led by Lt Gen Harinder Singh, the commander of the Leh-based 14 Corps, and includes Naveen Srivastava, Joint Secretary (East Asia) in the Ministry of External Affairs(MEA). Close to 100,000 Indian and Chinese troops are deployed in eastern Ladakh as both sides are holding their ground and also showing readiness for a long-haul even as diplomatic and military talks to find an amicable solution continue. The talks in Chushul are underway, the sources said. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="78613147" title="China launches Earth observation satellite amid border tensions with India" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> Ahead of the talks, the sources said India will press for an early and complete disengagement of troops by China from all the friction points besides demanding restoration of immediate restoration of status quo ante in all areas of eastern Ladakh prior to April. The standoff began on May 5. The agenda for the talks is to firm up a roadmap for disengagement of troops from all the friction points in eastern Ladakh, the sources said. The China Study Group (CSG) comprising Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and three service chiefs on Friday finalised India's strategy for the military talks. The CSG is India's key policy making body on China. The sources said India will strongly oppose any demand by China for withdrawal of Indian troops from several strategic heights on the southern bank of the Pangong lake to kick-start the disengagement process. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="78380509" title="India-China border at 'no war no peace' status, says IAF chief" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> During the sixth round of Corps commander talks on September 21, the Chinese People's Liberation Army(PLA) insisted on withdrawal of troops by the Indian Army from several strategic heights in Mukhpari, Rezang La and Magar hill areas around the southern bank of Pangong lake. Indian troops had occupied the strategic heights after the PLA soldiers attempted to intimidate them in the southern bank of Pangong lake on the intervening night of August 29 and 30. India has been maintaining that the disengagement process has to start simultaneously at all the friction points. At the talks, the two sides are expected to further explore steps to maintain stability on the ground and avoid any action that may trigger fresh tension in the region where troops from both sides will be facing difficult conditions in the next four months due to harsh winter, the sources said. Following the sixth round of military talks, the two sides announced a slew of decisions including not to send more troops to the frontline, refrain from unilaterally changing the situation on the ground and avoid taking any actions that may further complicate matters. The military talks were held with a specific agenda of exploring ways to implement a five-point agreement reached between Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at a meeting in Moscow on September 10 on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO) conclave. The pact included measures like quick disengagement of troops, avoiding action that could escalate tensions, adherence to all agreements and protocols on border management and steps to restore peace along the LAC. Days after the military talks, the two sides held diplomatic parleys under the framework of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on border affairs, but no concrete outcome emerged from the negotiations on September 30. After the diplomatic talks, the MEA said it was agreed that the next round of the meeting of senior commanders should be held at an early date so that both sides can work towards an early and complete disengagement of the troops along the LAC in accordance with the existing bilateral agreement and protocols. Srivastava, who has been leading the Indian side at the WMCC talks, also attended the military parleys on September 21 for the first time. It is Lt Gen Singh's last round of talks with the PLA in the current standoff as he is due to take charge as head of the prestigious Indian Military Academy(IMA) this week. His successor at the 14 Corps Lt Gen PGK Menon is also part of the Indian delegation. At the previous six rounds of military talks, the Indian side insisted on complete disengagement of Chinese troops at the earliest, and immediate restoration of status quo ante in all areas of eastern Ladakh prior to April. The situation in eastern Ladakh deteriorated following at least three attempts by the Chinese soldiers to "intimidate" Indian troops along the northern and southern bank of Pangong lake area between August 29 and September 8 where even shots were fired in the air for the first time at the LAC in 45 years. As tensions escalated further, the foreign ministers of India and China held talks in Moscow on September 10 where they reached a five-point agreement to defuse the situation in eastern Ladakh. The agreement was the basis for the sixth round of Corps commander-level talks. In the last three months, the Indian Army rushed tanks, heavy weaponry, ammunition, fuel, food and essential winter supplies to various treacherous and high-altitude areas of the region to maintain combat readiness through the harsh winter of around four months starting around mid-October. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/latest-updates-on-india-china-border-issue/articleshow/78162853.cms">India-China decide ‘early date’ needed for military talks on border issue — but stalemate continues</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/china-launches-earth-observation-satellite-amid-border-tensions-with-india/articleshow/78613147.cms">China launches Earth observation satellite amid border tensions with India</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/chinese-army-will-be-using-thermal-shelters-to-fend-off-the-sub-zero-temperatures-along-the-india-china-border-this-winter/articleshow/78554233.cms">Chinese Army will be using thermal shelters to fend off the sub-zero temperatures along the India-China border this winter</a>

India-China 7th round of high-level military talks underway

<ul><li>Brigade Commander- level talks between India and China are continuing for a third day since August 31. </li><li>India has called out China for ‘proactive military movement’ while China has pointed the finger back at India for ‘illegally trespassing’ across the <keyword id="49399" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Line-of-Actual-Control">Line of Actual Control</keyword> (LAC). </li><li>“Indian side is firmly committed to resolve all outstanding issues along the LAC in the Western Sector through peaceful dialogue,” said India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Shrivasta during yesterday’s press conference. </li></ul>Brigade Commanders from India and China are sitting down for the third time today to discuss the most recent border flare up between the two Asian giants — the incident along the southern banks of <keyword id="837007" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pangong-Tso-Lake">Pangong Tso Lake</keyword> in Ladakh. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="77845766" title="India says the army 'thwarted' China's 'proactive military movement' to change status quo along Ladakh border" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> The military representation first met for five hours on Monday and then again yesterday for an undisclosed amount of time. The <keyword id="6354416" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Army">Indian Army</keyword> claims that China tried to move its troops ‘proactively’ in violation of the standing agreement of disengagement between both sides. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="77868378" title="Military level talks continue for second day even as China points the finger back at India" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> China, on the other, has denied having crossed the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Instead, it has pointed the finger back at India for ‘illegal trespassing’ and conducting ‘flagrant provocations’ flaring up border tensions. There was no physical altercation Late last night, India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Anurag Shrivastava, told the press, “Indian side is firmly committed to resolve all outstanding issues along the LAC in the Western Sector through peaceful dialogue.” He added that communication is happening along both diplomatic and military channels to prevent China’s frontline troops from taking such ‘proactive actions’. According to the Ministry of Defence, the attempt of the Chinese to break past the LAC was ‘thwarted’ by the Indian Army strengthening their positions along the border. It clarified that there was no physical altercation between the two sides. <div type="image" title="pjote chart (1)" msid="77884239" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The disputed border between India and China along the banks of Pangong Tso Lake divided by moutaineous ridges called fingers&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Both India and China may well be telling the truth in their respective eyes because the border, along with the ‘Finger Area’ at Pangong Tso is interpreted differently by both. India believes the boundary lies at Finger 8, while China believes it to be at Finger 2. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/military-level-talks-continue-for-second-day-even-as-china-points-the-finger-back-at-india/articleshow/77868378.cms">Military level talks continue for second day even as China points the finger back at India</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/indian-army-claims-chinese-army-tried-to-change-the-status-quo-along-the-lac-in-eastern-ladakh/articleshow/77845766.cms">India says the army 'thwarted' China's 'proactive military movement' to change status quo along Ladakh border</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/india-likely-to-introduce-a-second-defence-import-embargo-list-by-the-end-of-year-as-it-chases-down-5-billion-in-exports/articleshow/77797223.cms">India likely to introduce a second defence ‘import embargo’ list by the end of year as it chases down $5 billion in exports</a>

Day three of India-China talks — Brigade Commanders sit down to discuss Pangong Tso incident again today

<ul><li>India and China were locked in discussion for nearly 14 hours on Monday. </li><li>In a joint statement, both countries have agreed to stop sending more troops to the frontline. </li><li>However, experts assert that when it comes to reducing the existing number of troops or reverting to the original status quo — China is playing hardball. </li></ul>India and China have agreed to stop sending more troops to the frontline after military commanders from India and China were locked in discussions for nearly 14 hours on Monday, September 21, during the sixth round of talks. “The two sides had candid and in-depth exchanges of views on stabilizing the situation along the LAC in the India - China border areas,” said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a <a href="https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/33047/Joint_Press_Release_of_the_6th_round_of_Senior_Commanders_Meeting_between_India_and_China">statement</a>. However, there was no consensus on reducing the number of soldiers that have already been deployed — or a return to the original status quo prior to May. According to former Indian Army Colonel and expert on strategic affairs, <a href="https://ajaishukla.blogspot.com/2020/09/china-links-troop-pull-back-with-indian.html?m=1">Ajai Shukla</a>, China has hardened its stance on the issue. It is refusing to withdraw any troops until the Indian Army vacates five to six tactically dominating heights it has occupied south of Pangong Tso Lake in Ladakh. “It is unclear whether the Indian side has also demanded a Chinese withdrawal from Depsang, where PLA troops have penetrated about 15 kilometres into India – the deepest point of intrusion,” wrote Shukla. Geostrategist <a href="https://twitter.com/Chellaney/status/1308636286320697345">Brahma Chellaney</a> explains that China's current strategy against India aims at stepping up “coercion and blackmail,” which includes deploying nuclear-capable intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) on occupied territory. Stance on returning to the original status quo still unclear Another Indian Army veteran <a href="https://twitter.com/SushantSin/status/1308437137142947841">Sushant Singh</a> affirms that the joint statement’s assertion that both sides will “refrain from unilaterally changing the situation on the ground,” can be interpreted as acceptance of the new status quo along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). “The missing bit is even an indirect reference to the situation on the ground as of April 2020, and India's stated objective of restoration of status quo ante as of April 2020,” <a href="https://twitter.com/SushantSin/status/1308437809590484993">he wrote</a> on Twitter. Carnegie South Asia’s Ashley J Tellis told <a href="https://t.co/DXqgzUliBs?amp=1">Hindustan Times</a> that China’s aggressive border moves were motivated by India’s decision to abolish Section 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. “If there had been no changes in Indian politics, we would’ve had a continuation of past problems but nothing of this magnitude,” he said on the Tamasha podcast. Beijing’s take on the military-level border talks On home turf, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin told the press that India and China exchanged in-depth views on easing the current situation in the border areas — reiterating India’s stance on the issue. "The two sides agreed to continue maintaining dialogue and consultation on this front," said Wang during a media briefing when asked to provide details on the latest round of military talks. Monday’s negotiations were the first time that the Indian delegation had two Lieutenant Generals, two Major Generals and a Joint Secretary from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) — Joint Secretary Navin Srivastava. The meeting was led by Lieutenant General Harinder Singh of the 14 Corps from India and his Chinese counterpart from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Major General Lin Liu. Here’s a quick look at what India and China did agree on during the sixth round of Corps Commander-level talks in Moldo: <ul><li>Earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries </li><li>Strengthen communication on the ground </li><li>Avoid misunderstandings and misjudgments, stop sending more troops to the frontline </li><li>Refrain from unilaterally changing the situation on the ground </li><li>Avoid taking any actions that may complicate the situation </li><li>Hold the 7th round of Military Commander-Level Meeting as soon as possible </li><li>Take practical measures to properly solve problems on the ground </li><li>Jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border area </li></ul>SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/news/microsoft-acquires-exclusive-license-for-elon-musks-largest-gpt-3-ai-language-model/articleshow/78269391.cms">Microsoft acquires exclusive license for Elon Musk’s largest GPT-3 AI language model</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/facebook-india-head-goes-to-supreme-court-against-delhi-assembly-panels-summons-on-hate-speech/articleshow/78267998.cms">Facebook India Head goes to Supreme Court against Delhi Assembly Panel's summons on 'hate speech'</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/yes-bank-ceo-prashant-kumar-clarifies-that-the-forensic-investigation-isnt-restricted-to-the-top-10-defaulters/articleshow/78255868.cms">EXCLUSIVE: YES Bank CEO Prashant Kumar clarifies that the forensic investigation isn't restricted to the top 10 defaulters</a>

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