Prof. Sriparna Pathak suggests that the vague charge of “serious violations” fits Xi’s anti-corruption drive, but Zhang’s purge reveals deeper succession anxieties—disrupting elite management, signalling that even close allies aren’t immune, and causing short-term paralysis, loss of expertise, and delays within the PLA. Watch the full interview here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSncmEVKplU

Prof. Sriparna Pathak suggests that U.S. rhetoric praising Xi and signalling restraint over Taiwan risks normalising aggression, effectively emboldening China, but the current leadership vacuum and unpreparedness within the PLA have, for now, prevented Beijing from escalating militarily. Watch the full interview here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSncmEVKplU

Prof. Sriparna Pathak suggests that leadership purges have created a vacuum in the PLA, eroding experience, fostering fear, and prioritizing loyalty over honest advice, temporarily lowering the risk of a Taiwan invasion, but in the long run, Xi’s ambition means military action cannot be ruled out once the force regains strength. Watch the full interview here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSncmEVKplU

Prof. Sriparna Pathak suggests that Xi’s military purges may weaken the PLA in the short term, reducing near-term risks for Taiwan, but could ultimately lead to a more loyal and capable force, heightening long-term threats that require close monitoring. Watch the full interview here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSncmEVKplU

In this compelling interview with Ishan Dhar, Prof. Sriparna Pathak of O.P. Jindal Global University discusses the ongoing purge within China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the most recent instance being the removal of Zhang Youxia, one of China’s top military leaders and a key figure in the Central Military Commission (CMC) chaired by Xi Jinping. The conversation examines why strategic branches such as the Rocket Force appear disproportionately affected, what these upheavals suggest about Xi’s deepening control over the military, and whether the purge reflects anti-corruption efforts, factional competition, or authoritarian power consolidation. Prof. Pathak also assesses how the PLA's leadership churn could shape China’s posture toward Taiwan, what Taiwan may have learned from the Russia–Ukraine war, and how India should interpret these developments, particularly in terms of risk and stability along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the limits of the so-called “thaw” in India–China relations. Chapters- 0:00-1:02 Opening 2:09-3:43 Xi Jinping’s military purge 3:58-5:14 Why the rocket force faces disproportionate purges 6:01-9:05 The fall of Zhang Youxia 10:06-12:38 Party vs army: historical tensions inside the CCP 13:18-15:33 PLA leadership upheaval and combat readiness 16:04-18:19 Will PLA behaviour toward Taiwan change? 19:00-20:45 Lessons China might take from U.S moves on Venezuela and Greenland 20:55-22:42 What Taiwan learns from the Russia-Ukraine war and PLA turmoil 23:09-25:38 How should India view the PLA’s inner churn? Can we expect more restraint or adventurism on the LAC? 26:02-28:15 The ominous reality of the so-called “thaw” in India-China relations 28:33-29:59 What next from Beijing and the PLA in 2026? 30:01-30:23 Closing #china #xijinping #taiwan #interview #explorepage #foreignaffairs #india #chinanews #internationalrelations

Lt Gen Chauhan explains that the Bhairav Battalion was created to bridge the time gap between deploying special forces and mobilising main forces, giving commanders an immediate reaction capability for short, swift offensive actions distinct from special forces’ strategic roles and not intended for holding ground. Watch the full interview here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4aPMzih8aw

Lt Gen Chauhan clarifies that the Bhairav battalion is not a “home and hearth” or scout unit: unlike region-specific formations such as the Gorkha, Sikkim, Garhwal, Naga, or Kumaon Scouts who operate permanently in familiar terrain, the Bhairav battalion is region-agnostic, non-ethnic, mobile, and designed for rapid deployment rather than localised terrain-based defence. Watch the full interview here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4aPMzih8aw

The Bhairav battalion is envisioned as a rapid-response bridge between regular infantry and special forces, designed to be the first force committed in a crisis while larger formations mobilise; one such battalion is planned for each corps (including XVII Corps), embedded at the highest tactical headquarters, regiment-agnostic, and distinct from scouts or caste-based units. Watch the full interview here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4aPMzih8aw