The Indian Air Force said it has just deployed a series of Rafale multirole fighters to Hasimara airbase just over 300km from Tibet.
According to our correspondent, India’s move comes shortly after Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Nyingchi, located in southeastern Tibet, bordering Arunachal Pradesh and Lhasa last week. Thereby can clearly see Beijing’s position towards Tibet as well as the territorial dispute with New Delhi.
At the moment, both China and India are increasing their military presence in the region along the line of Actual Control (LAC) more than 3,300km long, despite the negotiations between the two sides reached earlier.
It is known that the Rafale fighters that have just been deployed by the Indian Air Force to Hasimara will be assigned to the 101st squadron. The ceremony to welcome Rafale in Hasimara was also attended by Indian Air Marshal RKS Bhadauria.
Speaking during the ceremony, Marshal Bhadauria said: “The deployment of Rafale to Hasimara was carefully planned in advance, it also shows the importance of enhancing the combat capabilities of the Indian Air Force in the region. east of the country.”
Marshal Bhadauria also put great faith in Rafale’s fighting ability before all tasks and it was enough to deter the enemy.
In an earlier statement on July 28, Indian Defense Minister Ajay Bhatt said that the country has received 26 of the 36 Rafale aircraft ordered from France, while stressing that the delivery schedule is ongoing. according to plan.
India’s increase of fighter jets near the Chinese border comes just days after Xi Jinping visited Tibet, his first visit to the region since taking office. The President of China and also the first visit by a Chinese leader to Tibet in 31 years.
During a visit to an armed unit of the Chinese army in Lhasa, Xi emphasized consolidating key border areas and developing them in a military-oriented new era.
Earlier Indian intelligence reports also showed that China is increasing military facilities near the Indian border by building or expanding at least 16 air bases across the Tibet Autonomous Region.
According to Sputnik, the two Asian “giant” began to increase their military infrastructure development activities along the disputed area since June 2020 after a clash between troops. soldiers on either side in the Galwan Valley. The two sides also began sending more reinforcements to the region in recent months as the withdrawal process was delayed.
New Delhi and Beijing also accused each other of trespassing in the Depsang Delta, Gogra Fort and Hot Springs area.