INS Vikrant not to trigger India-China arms race: state media

Acknowledging that India has taken a lead over China in launching an indigenously built aircraft carrier, state media here today said INS Vikrant would not lead to Sino-Indian arms race nor it would "create any waves" for cooperation between the two countries.
"China is a late comer among big powers in terms of developing domestic aircraft carriers. Even India has moved ahead of us," an editorial in the state-run Global Times said, making a strong case for Chinese military to develop aircraft carriers to add to the first one launched last year.
A commentary by official Xinhua news agency ruled out any arms race as result of the launch of Vikrant.

"Pundits obsessed with geopolitical rivalry wasted no time in hyping the Indian feat as a threat to China, fanning speculations the two Asian neighbours would slide deeper into an arms race aimed at regional supremacy," it said.
"However, such conflict-obsessed fear-mongers have apparently ignored the larger picture. For starters, China and India, the world's top two developing countries, have vast interests in common."
"It is true India, already a regional heavyweight, has always held the dream of becoming a global power. It has been the world's largest importer of weapons over the past few years," it said.

"Doomsayers also point to the high-profile support from the United States, which they assume is bent on containing China's rise," it said referring to the visit of US Vice President Joe Biden during which he suggested India to play a bigger role in the Asia-Pacific region.

"Underneath the gloomy prophecy also lies the increase in the number of carrier-equipped naval forces in the region. Just days before the Vikrant's launch, Japan launched a new helicopter carrier," it said.
"However, the normal buildup of defence capabilities is no cause of worry. China and India are important trading partners, and they hold identical or similar stances on a wide range of regional and global affairs. They have also recognised the world is large enough to accommodate the development of both of them," it said.
The two countries should have the vision to look beyond slanted interpretations and stick to the right path of cooperation, it said.

"With the Asia-Pacific region gaining more weight in the global landscape, their cooperation is particularly necessary. Joining hands, they can make more contribution to the peace and prosperity of not only the region but also the world at large," it said.
The Global Times in its editorial pointed out that China's much publicised DF-21D "carrier-killer" missile which raised concerns in US defence circles has not yet been tested to meet the threat of the carriers.