China on Friday hiked its defence budget for the first time to more than $200 billion, over three times higher than that of India, maintaining a single-digit growth for the sixth consecutive year with a 6.8% increase in 2021.
The hike in defence spending by Beijing comes amid a months-long military standoff with India in eastern Ladakh and growing political and military tensions with the United States.
China's defence budget is about a quarter of the US figure, which is $740.5 billion for the 2021 fiscal year.
With Friday's increase, China's defence spending is over three times higher than India's defence budget of about $65.7 billion, which includes pensions.
Cuba names first non-Castro leader in 60 yrs
US gears up for verdict in George Floyd murder trial
Nasa flies small helicopter on Mars!
US advisory against India travel amid Covid-19 surge
Putin foe Navalny shifted to prison hospital amid hunger strike
US is mum on demand to lift export curbs on vaccine raw material
Britain adds India to Covid-19 travel 'red list', 103 Indian variant cases in UK
Covid survivors may need just 1 shot of vaccine: study
Half of US adults now have received at least 1 Covid shot
Kate Middleton's Necklace at Prince Philip's funeral honours the Royal family
Israel ends requirement to wear masks in public
Date announced for presidential elections in Syria
Meghan Markle sent a handwritten note with a wreath for Prince Philip’s funeral
US, China agree to cooperate on climate crisis with urgency
Kremlin critic Navalny could die any minute: doctors
US woman charged for allegedly threatening to kill Kamala Harris
Prince Philip laid to rest in royal funeral celebrating service to Queen
Myanmar junta pardons more than 23,000 prisoners
William, Harry stand apart for Philip's funeral
Covid-19 deaths pass staggering three million mark worldwide