Pande said that through the dialogue between the Corps Commanders from the two sides, “many friction areas have been resolved after talking to each other.”
Pande said that through the dialogue between the Corps Commanders from the two sides, “many friction areas have been resolved after talking to each other.”
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Even as the two countries are involved in discussions to find a resolution to the over two-year long standoff in eastern Ladakh, the entire episode seems to point that China does not have the intent to find an early resolution to the overall boundary question, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande said on Monday.
In his first formal media interaction, Pande said that when it comes to China, “The basic issue remains the resolution of the borders.” He was talking in context of the larger question of the unsettled 3488-km long boundary between the two countries.
“What we see is that China’s intent has been to keep the boundary issue alive,” Pande said, who took over as the new Army Chief on May 1. “What we need is a whole of nation approach” to address the issue in its entirely. “In the military domain, this is to prevent and counter any attempt to alter the status quo at the LAC (Line of Actual Control),” he said.
Speaking about the standoff in eastern Ladakh, he expressed hope that resolution for the balance friction points will be found through dialogue. Pande said that through the dialogue between the Corps Commanders from the two sides, “many friction areas have been resolved after talking to each other.” Regarding the balance areas, where disengagement has not yet happened—including Hot Springs, Depsang Plains and Demchok—Pande said, “they can only be resolved through dialogue” and added, “it is good that we are talking to and engaging with each other.”
“Our troops continue to hold important positions along the LAC. He said the guidance for the troops is to “have a firm and resolute” posture to “prevent any efforts to alter the status quo.” The Army’s “aim and intention, as far as the situation is concerned, is to restore the status quo ante prior to April 2020.” He said the “aim is also to re-establish trust and tranquillity on both sides.”
However, he added, “it cannot be a one-way affair. Efforts should be made from both the sides.”
Pande said that “over the last couple of years we have taken the decision to rebalance and reorient our forces to deal with the situation in eastern Ladakh.” Even as there is a “re-appraisal and re-assessment of our preparedness,” he said, adding, “we have a robust posture on the LAC” and “adequate forces to deal with all contingencies”.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ladakh-standoff-shows-china-intends-to-keep-boundary-issue-alive-says-army-chief-gen-pande-7908734/