China and its state-owned propaganda media outlet ‘Global Times’ is not leaving any stone unturned to demonise India for the commissioning of its second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Arighat.
The Chinese government, known for its expansionist policies and hostile attitude towards neighbours over territorial sovereignty, is virtue-signalling India over the ‘responsible use’ of its military arsenal.
In this regard, ‘Global Times’ published a malicious piece titled ‘India’s second nuclear missile submarine should be used responsibly: experts’
India is reportedly scheduled to launch its second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine. Chinese experts said that #India should wield this power responsibly and contribute to peace and stability, rather than use it to flex muscles. https://t.co/frKoR30LMU pic.twitter.com/Y7k5gwWMLI
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) August 29, 2024
For the unversed, INS Arighat is India’s second nuclear-powered submarine capable of launching ballistic missiles. The second Arihant-Class submarine is 112 meters long and is armed with K-15 missiles with a strike range of 750 km. It is built under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project.
The construction of INS Arighat involved the use of advanced design and manufacturing technology, detailed research & development, utilisation of special materials, complex engineering and highly skilled workmanship, said a statement issued by the Indian Defence Ministry.
It has the distinction of having the indigenous systems and equipment which were conceptualised, designed, manufactured & integrated by the Indian scientists, industry and Naval personnel.
Chinese propaganda outlet wants India to not ‘flex muscles’
A rattled ‘Global Times’ thus cited experts from its home country to lecture India on refraining from using its military tech to ‘flex muscles.’
“Chinese experts said that India should wield this power responsibly and contribute to peace and stability, rather than use it to flex muscles,” it brazened out.
The Chinese propaganda news outlet cited an anonymous Beijing-based military expert to claim that India should use its nuclear deterrence force responsibly.
China has 6 nuclear powered ballistic missile submarines and 6 nuclear attack submarines. Of course, China with the biggest navy today does not use it to flex muscles, it is only to make friendly port calls. What hypocrisy. https://t.co/dxWZ4wHsDP
— Kanwal Sibal (@KanwalSibal) August 29, 2024
“As long as they exist, nuclear weapons should be used in safeguarding peace and stability, not muscle flexing or nuclear blackmailing, the expert said,” wrote Global Times.
Interestingly, China has 6 Jin-class ballistic missile submarines that are equipped with advanced JL-3 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs). The United States has previously raised alarms over its capability to target the North American nation.
JL-3 reportedly has a range of more than 10,000 km and can deliver multiple nuclear warheads. Virtue-signalling from Chinese state actors is thus rich, given that the Communist-ruled nation is at loggerheads with countries in the South China Sea and the Indian subcontinent.
Expansionist China lectures India on responsible behaviour
China claims large parts of Laos and Cambodia on historical precedent that dates back to the 13th and 14th Century. On certain occasions, it has also claimed the entirety of South Korea and North Korea on historical precedent.
China also claims all of Mongolia and Taiwan as well, although the two countries do not consider themselves part of China at all. There are several other countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan who ceded territory to China to resolve their border dispute.
Among the major countries to cede territory was Russia. Even after that, border disputes of China with these countries continue.
The prominent countries with whom China is involved in severe disputes apart from India are Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Japan.
China has claimed parts of Nepal for itself on the basis of the Sino-Nepalese War in the late 18th Century. China insists that parts of Nepal belong to Tibet and hence, a part of China.
Despite such a deplorable track record of using its military might to intimidate its neighbours, the Chinese government is using its media propaganda arm to virtue-signal India on acting responsibly.
