By Hamza Ameer
Islamabad, Jun 17 (IANS): Border clashes between India and China have become more aggressive as at least 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives after deadly clashes with the Chinese forces in the Ladakh area. While tensions continue to soar between the two countries, Pakistan's military establishment is joining heads and keeping a close eye on the developments.
On Wednesday, a Corps Commanders' Conference was held at the General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi to discuss the national and regional security situation.
"Corps Comds' Conf. held today at GHQ. Forum was briefed on national and regional security situation," the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Gen. Qamar Jawed Bajwa chaired the meeting. Among the important discussion on regional security matters including the "gradual positive effects of ongoing Afghan Peace Process along Western Borders", and the conference also expressed the resolve to continue, "supporting the normalisation process through national institutions".
The conference also discussed tensions with India along the Line of Control (LoC), stating that the "forum resolved to continue thwarting Indian designs and expose Indian targeting of innocent civilians in Kashmir and open support to terrorist outfits".
The ongoing tensions between China and India also figured among the discussions, where Pakistan has taken a pro-China policy, opting to use this as an opportunity to not only take a jibe against the Narendra Modi-led government, but also to further strengthen its understanding with Beijing.
The Corps Commander Conference comes a day after a rare but detailed meeting was held at the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) headquarters, which was attended by all services chiefs, who gathered to discuss the country's preparedness to counter what they called India's aggression at the LoC.
"A comprehensive briefing was given to military leadership on the regional security issues with special focus on the situation of LoC and IOJ&K (Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir)," read the ISPR press release.
"Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee (CJCSC) and services chiefs appreciated the tireless efforts of ISI for national security and expressed satisfaction over professional preparedness," it added.
It seems that the ongoing tensions between India and China is being seen as a serious developing situation with strategic importance in Pakistan as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) route in Gilgit Baltistan is not far from the Galwan Valley, the site of the bloody India-Chinese clash.
With China engaging India in Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), tensions along the LoC, coupled with repeated incidents of harassment of Indian diplomats in Islamabad seem to be a pressure tactic that Islamabad is exerting on New Delhi.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has slammed the Modi-led Indian government for continuing constructions in the disputed region, leading to the bloody clash.
"This is an extraordinary situation, which has been seen in the form of a bloody clash after several decades. This clearly is the result of India's Hindutva ideology," Qureshi maintained.
"Whenever India follows this Hindutva ideology, and shows this kind of stubbornness, situation in the region will deteriorate," he added.