China may be a powerful country but India is not a weak nation either: Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Friday urged that India is capable of handling China's assertiveness along the border, claiming that "China may be a powerful country but India is not a weak nation either." 

Rawat was addressing the media at the DRDO Bhawan in Delhi on Friday. 

"Yes, China is exerting pressure. We are dealing with it. Yes, we should try that it is not escalated. We will not allow our territory to be intruded. Troops are earmarked, should a situation arise our troops are ready to cater" Rawat said. 

Amid aggressive Chinese efforts to increase its influence in the region, the Army Chief said India cannot allow its neighbours to drift away to China, further insisting that focus should be shifted to its northern border. 

To a question about Chinese incursions into India, he said, "We will not allow our territory to be invaded by anyone."

Referring to the US' warnings to Pakistan over its handling of terrorism, Rawat said India will have to wait, see its impact and deal with our challenges. 

He further added that the threat of the use of CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) weapons have now become a reality. 

"The threat of the use of CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) weapons is indeed becoming a reality, particularly from the non-state actors. Use of CBRN weapons could jeopardise life health property and commerce, and then take a long time to recover," Rawat said.

The Army Chief also warned that potential adversaries may seek to counter India's conventional military superiority using less expensive and more attainable asymmetrical means.

To combat the hazardous weapons, Rawat suggested to "develop protection technologies, equipment and systems, and impart training to our soldiers."

"I am sure that DRDO's long-term perspective plan in conjunction and integrated perspective plan of the services must have encompassed the development of mitigation of technologies against such CBRN threats," he added.

Finally, Rawat announced that India's focus of operations is going to shift to North Kashmir's Baramulla, Pattan, Handwara, Kupwara, Sopire and Lolab and some northern areas of Bandipore so that the infiltration can be thwarted there.