Degree of Standoff Persists on China Border, says Army Chief
Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi at annual press conference. Image credit Raksha Samachar
Two Rounds of Verification Patrolling on China Border Completed: Army Chief
By Raisina Correspondent
New Delhi, January 13: The Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi on Monday said that “a degree of standoff on China border persists”. He stressed that dialogue is essential to resolve the military standoff.
Addressing a press conference in the national capital on the occasion of the Army Day, General Dwivedi said that “there remains a degree of standoff. A broader understanding through dialogue is essential.” The Army Chief gave an account of the current situations on the eastern Ladakh where the Indian and the Chinese military personnel were in a standoff situation for over four years. The Galwan violent skirmish in 2020 had brought the armies of the two largest population in the world to a standoff situation.
The Army Chief while responding to questions on the larger China border issue said that “two rounds of verification patrolling have been conducted by both the sides. The grazing activities have resumed.”
“India will maintain troop strength along the northern frontier this winter. Summer deployment will be reviewed on the basis of talks with China,” added General Dwivedi. He also stated that the “situation on northern borders remains sensitive but stable”.
Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi stated that patrolling and traditional grazing activities have resumed in Depsang and Demchok areas. This is in the backdrop of India and China agreeing to disengage from the two contentious standoff positions in Depsang and Demchok in the eastern Ladakh.
“Local issues are now being handled at ground level by commanders,” he said. “All my Corps commanders have been told to handle the trivial issues at the local level as patrolling has already begun after disengagement,” added General Dwivedi.
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The Army Chief also stated that the deployment of forces along the LAC (Line of Actual Control) is balanced and robust. “Focus is currently on capability development with niche tech infusion for warfighting readiness,” added General Dwivedi.
India and China are currently engaged in diffusing tension along the LAC. The National Security Advisor Ajit Doval last month had visited Beijing to hold the 23rd round of the Special Representatives level talks with the Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi. The 24th round of the SR level talks on the border management will be held in New Delhi this year. Doval has invited Wang Yi to visit India for the talks.
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