Watch | ‘The situation is stable, but it’s not normal’: Army chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi addresses Ladakh standoff with China
Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi has expressed that trust has been the “biggest casualty” in the ongoing standoff with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh. He described the current situation as “stable” yet “not normal,” emphasizing the need to restore the conditions that existed prior to April 2020.
Addressing concerns about the situation in Manipur, Gen Dwivedi clarified that there was no usage of drone bombs and dismissed claims of infiltration by 900 anti-national elements.
“While the situation on the ground today is stable, it is still sensitive. Our objective is to restore the pre-April 2020 status, encompassing ground occupation, buffer zones, and patrol operations. Until these are reinstated, the situation will remain precarious, and we stand operationally prepared for any eventuality,” Gen Dwivedi stated at the Chanakya defence dialogue event.
Regarding China, he noted the complexity of the relationship, stating, “With China, we need to compete, cooperate, coexist, confront, and contest.” He highlighted the ongoing negotiations for disengagement in the two remaining friction areas, indicating that ground commanders play a key role in the execution of these plans.
Gen Dwivedi also addressed China’s ‘grey zone’ tactics, citing instances like artificial island reclamation in the South China Sea. He remarked, “These instances, including crises like Doklam, Kargil, and Galwan, should not be labeled as conventional wars but are part of a broader grey zone battle. We must be equipped for such scenarios.”
He emphasized the importance of cohesion between Commanding Officers and higher command, asserting that a unified strategy is vital to avoid small mistakes leading to significant ramifications.
With the BRICS summit approaching, there is anticipation of advancements in disengagement discussions at Depsang and Demchok. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently noted that around 75% of disengagement issues have been addressed, although challenges remain, particularly concerning the militarization of the border.
Several high-level diplomatic engagements have occurred recently, paving the way for upcoming talks at the Corps Commander level. Since 2020, five friction points have seen disengagement, the latest from PP15 following successful military discussions on July 17, 2022.
Published – October 01, 2024 01:45 pm IST
