China taking 'incremental and tactical actions' to press territorial claims with India at LAC: Pentagon

The Pentagon regularly reports to the Congress on the India-Chinese military standoff in eastern Ladakh. The Department of Defense has categorically said China is indulging in aggressive and coercive behaviour with its neighbours, India in particular.

Washington: China has been taking "incremental and tactical actions" to press its claims at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India and has unsuccessfully sought to prevent New Delhi from deepening its relationship with the US during and subsequent to the standoff, the Pentagon has said in a major report on China's military modernisation.

The Pentagon report comes amid heightened tensions between the US and China over the issue of Taiwan and was published hours after the most senior US General, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley issued a stark warning about China's military progress. The Pentagon has repeatedly referred to China as the "pacing challenge" for the US.

"The PRC (People's Republic of China) seeks to prevent border tensions from causing India to partner more closely with the United States. PRC officials have warned US officials to not interfere with the PRC's relationship with India," the Department of Defense told the US Congress on Wednesday.