The long-running tensions between India towards China and Pakistan continue to this day and can potentially turn into world war 3 if conflicts escalate. Fears of an all-out conflict between the two nations and India have been raised as China and Pakistan have now agreed to form an alliance.
Reports of an alliance between China and Pakistan have emerged following the activities that have occurred in Kashmir, the region that both India and Pakistan have a claim over. In 2019, New Delhi stripped Kashmir of its constitution that has been established in 1954 to give the territory autonomy from the central government. However, this resulted in protests from Pakistan in the area, and by November, Pakistan’s prime minister Imran Khan, decided to retaliate by naming the region of Gilgit-Baltistan as its fifth province. Gilgit-Baltistan is viewed by India as its territory.
An expert, Professor Christine Fair of Georgetown University, has weighed in on the move, calling the retaliation from Pakistan as an idea from China. The idea was a means for the communist nation to secure its investments as China has previously invested $70 billion in infrastructure in Pakistan. “This was a Chinese idea,” said Fair. “They’ll also say that if they’re going to be making these massive investments in what is essentially contested territory, they would like the status of this to be resolved.”
India’s military has had clashes with both Chinese and Pakistani forces in recent months at the contested borders. These clashes ended in casualties from both sides.
At the same time, Russia has recently tested its military power through the launches of its air, sea, and land missiles. Video footage from the Russian Defense Ministry showed the country’s military exercises, with President Vladimir Putin overseeing the drills. The ministry has also released a statement regarding the launches, saying that it was part of its military’s training plan and that the goals of the exercises were achieved.
In the video, Tu-160 and Tu-95MS bombers were launched from the Engels. The Ukrainka airbase launched Kh-101 and Kh-555 air-launched cruise missiles. Another clip of the exercises showed the nuclear-powered missile-carrying submarine Karelia.