Says there is a ‘degree’ of standoff in Eastern Ladakh; situation along LAC 'sensitive'

The Indian Army chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi on Monday said there is a ‘degree’ of standoff prevailing along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh while adding, “For now, during winters, we are not looking at reduction in troop-levels along LAC.”

The Army chief said since April 2020, both sides have doctored the terrain, added troops, stocked up (arms and weapons) and added troop numbers. “So in these terms there is a degree of standoff.”

The Army chief, while addressing a press conference in New Delhi ahead of the Army Day, said, “Both sides need to now sit together and restore trust.”

On being asked about any move to reduce troops in view of October 2024 patrolling arrangements, General Dwivedi said, “Troop deployment directly depends on the trust factor (between the two Armies) and the capabilities have been created on other side. The current capabilities across entails we will need to maintain the troop levels”  

“During winters, we are not looking at reduction in troop-levels along the LAC. A review will be done ahead of summers,” General Dwivedi added. The Army chief said, “We are looking at the next round of talks at the level of the Special Representatives and the WMCC,” when asked about how he sees the situation panning out. 

The WMCC is the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs, and is coordinated by the foreign ministries of India and China.

On being asked about the patrolling arrangement announced on October 21, the Army chief said, “Patrolling in traditional areas has commenced…. two rounds of verification patrolling have bene done and both sides are satisfied”. The patrolling arrangements were for Depsang and Demchok in Eastern Ladakh.

Regarding the buffer zones created post the Galwan clash, General Dwivedi said, “There is no such thing as a buffer zone. When we carried out negotiations, a temporary moratorium was agreed so that troops of both sides agreed to stay back and not go in disputed areas as there was a chance of violence.”

On the capability development along the northern borders, Gen Dwivedi said, “It is progressing well.”

The ceasefire along the Line of Control with Pakistan is holding on, said the Army chief referring to the ceasefire announced after the two Director Generals of Military Operation agreed to it in February 2021.

The Army chief also mentioned about this year being the “year of reforms”. The mission is to ensure full spectrum of preparedness while concurrently transforming Army into self-reliant force.

Gen Dwivedi said Indian Army has prepared five key pillars of force restructuring, joint operations, modernisation, technology and human resource issues.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, two weeks ago, declared 2025 as the year of reform. 

The reforms are aimed at enhancing operational readiness, embracing technological advancements, and fostering jointness.

The five pillars in the blueprint are—jointness and integration; force restructuring; modernisation and technology infusion; systems and processes, and human resource management, sources said.

Courtesy: The Tribune India : 13th Jan, 2025