BORDERS WITH CHINA IS STABLE BUT ‘UNPREDICTABLE,’ SAYS INDIAN ARMY CHIEF

Thu 12 January 2023:

Chinese troops have slightly increased in number along the border close to the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, according to Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande, although the forces are closely monitoring the situation.

At a press conference ahead of Army Day, Gen Pande also said the Indian troops deployed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) have been able to maintain a robust posture to defeat any evil design of the adversary with a “firm and resolute” manner.

The Chief of Army Staff asserted that the preparedness level of the Indian Army remained “very high” along the LAC and it has adequate forces and reserves in each of the sectors to effectively deal with any situation.

“The situation is stable and under control, yet unpredictable. You are aware of the ongoing talks where we have been able to resolve five out of seven issues that were on the table and we are continuing to talk both at the diplomatic as well as the military level,” he said.

“In terms of our preparedness level, they remain of a very high standard. We have adequate forces, we have adequate reserves in each of our sectors to be able to effectively deal with any situation or contingency,” he added.

His comments came amid the 32-month military standoff between Indian and Chinese militaries in eastern Ladakh.

There has been a fresh spike in tensions between India and China after troops from the two sides were engaged in a clash along the LAC at Yangtse in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh on December 9.

In June 2020, at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers were killed in a border clash.

Tensions at the border eased after several rounds of talks between the two sides.

Pande said the cease-fire on the other side of the border with Pakistan has been maintained. However, he claimed that the neighbor’s support for terror infrastructure and terror groups is still ongoing.

“There is a marked reduction in the parameters of violence. Hence, we have to remain alert,” he added.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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