New Delhi. In the background of the border dispute with China that has been going on for almost four years in the eastern Ladakh region, Army Chief General Manoj Pandey said on Wednesday that the level of preparedness of the Indian Army is very high. Along with this, he said that the army is closely monitoring the developments related to the border. General Pandey also said that he believed that the remaining issues could be resolved ‘only through talks’.
There was a standoff on the eastern Ladakh border on May 5, 2020, following violent clashes in the Pangong Lake area. Relations between the two countries deteriorated significantly after the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, which was the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades.
General Pandey said, “We are prepared in every way. Our military operational preparedness is of a very high level. In terms of our deployment along the 3,488 km long Line of Actual Control (LAC), I would say it is strong and balanced. We have also ensured that we have adequate reserves to deal with contingencies… We have our response mechanism firmly in place.”
He was asked how prepared the Indian Army is in the backdrop of the standoff on the eastern Ladakh border. He said, “We have held talks at two levels. At the military level, 21 rounds of talks took place between our corps commanders. “At the diplomatic level, we have a mechanism for dialogue on India-China border matters, the WMCC (Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination).” He said that after the incident in mid-2020, several rounds of talks have taken place under the WMCC.
The 28th meeting of the WMCC was held on November 30, 2023. Responding to questions during a group discussion at the ‘Times Now Summit’ here, the Army Chief said, “It is my belief that only through talks will we be able to resolve the remaining issues… There has been progress in the talks, but we “We are also focusing on capacity development on our northern borders, in which assimilation and modernization of technology is important.”
General Pandey said the Army is also focusing on infrastructure development and “I believe we are moving in the right direction.” “Our level of preparedness is very high and we are closely monitoring the developments and what is happening along the entire border,” he said.
On the question related to determining the threat level from China, General Pandey said that from time to time “we keep reviewing the threats.” He said the danger during the winter months may be slightly different than the summer months. The Army Chief said, “Like our western opponent, with respect to our northern opponent, I would only say that our preparedness is of a very high level.”
On the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, he highlighted the ‘military formations’ deployed in the interior areas of the Union Territory and along the Line of Control under the anti-infiltration grid. He said, ‘Infiltration attempts are being made, which are going on in the valley area as well as in the south of Pir Panjal area. But we have a very strong and effective anti-infiltration grid which has proven successful.
On criticism of the Agneepath scheme, General Pandey said it is a ‘transformational’ reform “that we have done in the last several years”. General Pandey said that the response received in this regard is ‘very encouraging, very positive’. On the role of women in the Army, he said, “About 128 women officers are now holding the rank of Colonel and they are now ‘Commanding Officers’.”
,
FIRST PUBLISHED: March 27, 2024, 23:10 IST