India can do more for peace, rather than contrary: China

The Chinese military today said India should not do anything "contrary" to the consensus reached between the two countries to maintain peace and stability in border areas, a remark which comes in the backdrop of reports that India plans to deploy Brahmos missiles along the border with China.
"To maintain peace and stability along the India-China border is an important consensus reached by the two sides," spokesman of the Chinese Ministry of Defence Colonel Wu Qian told a media briefing.
"We hope the Indian side can do more for peace and stability in the border region rather than contrary," Wu said.

His comments came after reports said the Indian government has sanctioned induction of additional BrahMos supersonic missiles, with steep dive capability and 290 km range, to be deployed in the Eastern sector to ramp up its capabilities along the border with China.
Defence sources in New Delhi had said the government has cleared the fourth BrahMos regiment at a cost of over Rs 4,300 crore.
Responding to a question about a commentary in the PLA Daily, the official organ of the Chinese military, criticising the decision to deploy the Brahmos missiles at the border, Wu also played down threats of countermeasures mentioned by the commentary.

Quoting reports, The PLA Daily commentary said the Indian government has approved the Army's procurement of nearly 100 upgraded-version of Brahmos supersonic missiles that will be deployed in the northeastern region of the country.

"This news has gained widespread attention. India's move to deploy missiles at the national boundary has already exceeded its defence needs and poses a serious threat to Tibet and Yunnan," it said.
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"Brahmos supersonic cruise missile has a superior strike capability and is suitable for use in the mountainous terrain of China-India border. The missile has spear-type aerodynamic layout and its body is coated with Indian 'radar absorption coating' which enhances its stealth performance and penetration ability," the commentary written by a PLA expert said.

Also, Brahmos has the capability to skirt anti-missile systems.
"However, Brahmos has several flaws. One, as a tactical missile in high altitude trajectory, Brahmos has a maximum range of only 290 KM. Also, if we consider factors such as the terrain then the effective range reduces to 100 KMs".
"If we consider the above shortcomings than it can be said that the actual impact of Brahmos missile deployment is limited. Because of its short-range capability, the missile cannot pose a threat to regions deep within China's borders," it said.
"If mounted on an aircraft, its combat effectiveness would be weakened. At the same time, in the tough terrain of south Tibet, Brahmos can pose a threat only to large fixed targets", it said.

"It is not difficult to see India's counter-balancing and confrontational thinking behind the deployment of Brahmos missiles. Within India, the 'String of Pearls theory' and 'China threat theory' has become very popular. These only reflect false alarm and a panic state of extreme nervousness," it said.