Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat, on Tuesday, addressed a press conference where he talked about myths surrounding the expenditure on defence forces and military diplomacy with China.

He said that Military diplomacy with China has worked and is moving forward positively.

Rawat also spoke on the rise of China, in terms of its economy and security. He stressed that with a rise in the economy, a rise in the nation’s defence is also required and said that China did not forget this and grew simultaneously on both the fronts.

“Chinese have finally arrived. I can say that. They did not forget that military power should rise simultaneously with the economy, that is why they stand strong today in the international world order, challenging the might of USA,” said General Bipin Rawat.

Rawat said that with the rise in the Chinese power, the world has its eyes on India to see whether the latter can balance the rise China.
The army chief talked about myths surrounding the expenditure on defence in India. He busted the myth that the expenditure made on defence is a burden on the state and yields no return.

Rawat informed that 35% of the expenditure made on the defence forces goes into nation-building in form of construction of roads in far-flung areas around international borders. 
“When we develop infrastructure on our borders, we are connecting the people who live in far areas with the mainland. This helps in uniting the nation,” informed Bipin Rawat.

Speaking on the cease-fire violations by Pakistan, he said that Indian Army has ensured retaliation to the Pakistani violations. He added that the Indian Army is capable of retaliating every Pakistani attack with a level greater than theirs.