Pak proxy war causing planned Bangladeshi influx into Northeast: Army chief

Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat has said that Pakistan and China are behind illegal immigration in the northeast.

He made this statement while addressing North East Region of India Bridging Gaps and Securing Borders Summit in New Delhi on Wednesday.

"Migration from Bangladesh is due to two reasons. One, they are running out of space. Large areas get flooded during the monsoon and they have constricted area to stay. So, people will continue coming into our place," the Army Chief said.

He added: "The other issue is a planned immigration that is taking place because of our western neighbour (Pakistan). They will always try and ensure that this area is taken over through proxy warfare. This proxy game is being very well played by our western neighbour and supported by our northern neighbour (China).

He said we need to understand the problem in northeast.

"Is it identity problem? Is it a problem of development? Is it a problem of security? Or, is it a problem with the demography that is happening right now? I think it is all encompassing and we will have to look at it holistically," the Army Chief said.

If India wants a nuclear war, it can test our resolve: Pak issues challenge

Pakistan foreign minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Saturday issued a nuclear threat to India while responding to a statement of army chief General Bipin Rawat.

"Very irresponsible statement by Indian Army Chief, not befitting his office. Amounts to invitation for nuclear encounter. If that is what they (India) desire, they are welcome to test our resolve. The general's doubt would swiftly be removed, inshallah," Asif tweeted.
“Very irresponsible statement by Indian Army Chief,not befitting his office. Amounts to invitation for nuclear encounter.
If that is what they desire,they are welcome to test our resolve. The general's doubt would swiftly be removed, inshallah.”

— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) January 13, 2018
On Friday, Rawat, during a media briefing in Delhi, said the force was ready to call Pakistan's "nuclear bluff" and cross the border to carry out any operation if asked by the government.
He was responding to a question on the possibility of Pakistan using its nuclear weapons in case the situation along the border deteriorates.
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