October 1st 2024.
New Delhi: On Tuesday, Chief of Army Staff Gen Upendra Dwivedi addressed the current situation along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh. He stated that while the situation is stable, it is still sensitive and far from normal. The ongoing military standoff between China and India in the region has been a cause of concern for both countries.
Despite positive signals emerging from diplomatic talks between the two sides, the success of any resolution ultimately depends on the actions taken by military commanders on the ground. This was emphasized by Gen Dwivedi during a curtain raiser event for the Chanakya Defence Dialogue.
In an effort to find a resolution to the standoff, India and China have engaged in two rounds of diplomatic talks in July and August. However, as Gen Dwivedi pointed out, the diplomatic side can only provide options and possibilities. The actual execution on the ground relies on the decisions made by military commanders from both sides.
The Army Chief further elaborated that while the situation is currently stable, it is far from normal. The ultimate goal is to restore the situation to what it was before April 2020. Until then, the sensitivity of the situation remains a concern and the Indian Army is fully prepared to handle any potential contingencies.
The military standoff between India and China began in May 2020 and although some progress has been made in disengaging from certain friction points, a complete resolution has not yet been achieved. Gen Dwivedi emphasized that the trust between the two countries has been greatly affected as a result of this ongoing conflict.
Speaking on India's overall approach towards China, the Army Chief stated that it is important to compete, cooperate, coexist, confront, and contest with China. He also mentioned the recent talks between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in St. Petersburg, where they agreed to work urgently towards complete disengagement in remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh.
NSA Doval had also conveyed to Wang that peace and tranquility along the border and respect for the Line of Actual Control are crucial for normalizing bilateral ties. The clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 had a significant impact on the relationship between the two countries, with India maintaining that peace at the border is essential for normalizing ties.
The two sides have held 21 rounds of Corps Commander-level talks so far in an attempt to resolve the standoff. India has urged the People's Liberation Army to disengage from the Depsang and Demchok areas, with the last high-level military talks taking place in February.
In conclusion, Gen Dwivedi emphasized that the situation along the Line of Actual Control remains a top priority for the Indian Army and they are fully prepared to handle any potential contingencies. The hope is to restore the situation to what it was before April 2020 and work towards rebuilding trust between the two nations.
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