The US Defense Department (Pentagon) has claimed in its annual report that China is trying to deploy its army closer to India. Preparations are being made to build bases for China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in four neighboring countries of India. These four countries are Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar, where additional military facilities or logistics bases will be built. This will increase the strength of water, land and air forces. The army’s reach over long distances will increase and sea routes will be safe.

China trying to increase army around India

According to the Pentagon report, China already operates its only foreign military base in Djibouti and has gained access to Ream Naval Base in Cambodia. Now it is working on a plan to build such bases in about a dozen countries around the world, which include India’s neighbors. The report said that these facilities will help the PLA to extend and maintain its naval, air force and ground forces.

What is happening in India’s neighboring countries?

• Pakistan: Gwadar naval base is already being built in collaboration with China. China has given a deal for 35 J-10C fighter jets to Pakistan. Hangar class submarines, warships and other jets like 5th generation FC-31 fighter jet, J-10 fighter jets have been offered. Joint manufacturing of JF-17 fighter jets is also going on.
• Bangladesh: China is considering building a military base here. Bangladesh is showing interest in purchasing J-10C fighter jets. Pakistan had used them against India’s Rafale. China has given VT-5 light tanks, two Ming class submarines and two warships 2024 to Bangladesh. Military relations with China were strong since the time of Sheikh Hasina, which continues in the Yunus government also.
• Sri Lanka and Myanmar: There are plans to build general military facilities or logistics bases, which will help in increasing the strength of PLA.

What is China worried about?

The report also says that China’s biggest concern is the Malacca Strait, where there is a threat of siege from the US and Indian navies. China is also concerned about the security of the Strait of Hormuz and the sea routes of Africa-Middle East. Apart from this, discussions are also being held on making bech in countries like Angola, Cuba, Guinea, Indonesia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Tajikistan, Thailand, UAE and Vanuatu.

What impact will China’s actions have on India?

Pentagon says that China is countering the growing friendship between India and America by strengthening military ties with Pakistan. However, after the Modi-Xi Jinping meetings, steps like reducing tension on LAC and starting visa services have also been taken. But China is including Arunachal Pradesh in its ‘core interest’.

This report shows that America is constantly keeping an eye on China’s growing military power and global reach. China has not yet given any direct response to this report. Experts believe that these facilities are part of China’s ‘String of Pearls’ strategy, which is an attempt to create a siege around India.

The border dispute between India and China regarding Arunachal Pradesh is decades old, but adding to this dispute, a new case has come to light, in which a woman resident of Arunachal Pradesh has been severely tortured in China. The woman has alleged that the Chinese authorities had refused to accept her Indian passport as valid. Chinese officials detained and tortured the woman for 18 hours at Shanghai Airport.

Pema Wang Thongdok, a resident of Arunachal Pradesh, said that Chinese immigration officials detained her at the airport for 18 hours on Friday (November 21, 2025). He claimed that Arunachal Pradesh is a part of China, hence the Indian passport of a woman born in Arunachal is invalid. Actually, Pema Wang Thongdok was going from London to Japan on November 21, 2025, but in the meantime her plane stopped for three hours at Shanghai Airport in China, where Chinese officials stopped the woman and took her into custody.

The woman gave information about the incident on X

Pema Wang Thongdok, a resident of Arunachal Pradesh, posted about the incident in China on social media platform In the post, Pema said, ‘Due to China Immigration and China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited, I was detained for more than 18 hours at Shanghai Airport on Friday (November 21, 2025). They declared my Indian passport invalid because my birthplace is in Arunachal Pradesh, which they declared to be Chinese territory.

@pemakhandu @kirenrijuju @PMOIndia I was held at Shanghai airport for over 18 hrs on 21st Nov, 2025 on claims by China immigration & @chinaeasternair They called my Indian passport invalid as my birthplace is Arunachal Pradesh which they claimed is Chinese territory. @cnnbrk

— Pem Wang Thongdok (@wang_pem) November 23, 2025

According to Thongdok’s statement, Chinese immigration officials had declared his Indian passport invalid after seeing Arunachal Pradesh listed as his birthplace. After this, Chinese officials refused to recognize his Indian citizenship and said that Arunachal is a part of China. Chinese authorities also confiscated his passport and he was barred from boarding onward flights despite having a valid visa for Japan. At the same time, after an Indian woman was taken hostage at Shanghai Airport, Chinese officials tortured her by starving her for 18 hours.

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