International News
Immediate threat from North Korea, long-term challenge from China a worry: Top US military commander
Chief of US Pacific Command Admiral Harry Harris Jr. has said that multilateralism is the way ahead for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
New Delhi: Recognising the clear and present threats to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, Chief of US Pacific Command Admiral Harry Harris Jr. said on Thursday that threat from North Korea and challenge from China is a big burden.
Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue, Admiral Harris Jr. said – without taking names – that several countries in the Indo-Pacific region are detrimental to stability in the region. “There are nations, entities in Indo-Pacific region that are disrupting potential for prosperity, openness & inclusivity,” he said. “As like-minded democratic nations, we are burdened by an immediate threat from North Korea, long-term challenge that China poses and terrorism is real in Indo Pacific region in 2018. Multilateralism is way ahead.”
The US has for long maintained a strong presence in the Pacific and has several military bases in the Indo-Pacific region as well. In recent years though, China has stepped up naval activity as well maintaining that its merchant vessels need a safe passage. Many security experts however suspect that active patrolling by ships, cruisers and even submarines point to something larger.
India too is keeping a close eye and reports of China possibly docking a nuclear submarine at Pakistan’s Gwadar Port has caused some degree of alarm.