Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi described the situation across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) as “sensitive but stable” while speaking on the ongoing disengagement efforts along the India-China border. Addressing a press conference ahead of the Army Day on Monday, he highlighted that patrolling and grazing activities in traditional areas such as Depsang and Demchok in eastern Ladakh are now proceeding as per routine.
“Our deployment is balanced and robust; we are capable of handling any situation,” General Dwivedi assured. Discussing the way forward along the LAC, he emphasized the importance of strengthening border infrastructure and advancing capability development to enhance operational readiness.
“I have authorized all my Corps Commanders to handle these issues at the ground level with respect to patrolling and grazing so that these trivial issues can be resolved at the military level itself. Own deployment along LAC is balanced and robust. We are well poised to deal with any situation. Army is focusing on boosting border infrastructure and capability development with the infusion of niche technology into a war-fighting system,” he said.
However, Gen Dwivedi said there is still a degree of standoff in the region and efforts are needed to restore trust between the Indian and the Chinese militaries. He stressed that India won’t reduce troops along China border until trust is restored.
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,” he quipped.
‘Pakistan supporting cross-border terrorism in J&K’
On the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, General Dwivedi stated that while the region remains stable and under control, infiltration attempts from across the border continue.
“Ceasefire along Line of Control with Pakistan is holding up but infiltration attempts are continuing,” he said. He further said that terror infrastructure remains intact in Pakistan as the country continues to be the epicentre of cross-border terrorism.
“In the last year, 60 percent of the terrorists eliminated in Jammu and Kashmir were from Pakistan,” adding, “As of today, around 80% or more of the remaining terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir are of Pakistan origin,” said General Dwivedi. He informed that 15,000 more troops were deployed in the region because of the increased incidents of terror activities.
“Situation in Manipur Under Control”
Turning to the unrest in Manipur, General Dwivedi commended the proactive efforts of the government and security forces to stabilize the situation.
Gen Dwivedi said, “Synergised efforts by security forces and proactive government initiatives have brought situation in Manipur under control.” He further said that cyclic instances of violence are continuing but the army is trying to bring peace to the region and there is good coordination among the security agencies deployed in the state.
Vision for transformation and self-reliance
General Upendra Dwivedi outlined his vision for transforming the Indian Army into a future-ready and self-reliant force.
“My mission is to ensure full spectrum preparedness while concurrently transforming the Indian Army into an ‘atmanirbhar’ future-ready force to be a relevant and key pillar of the national security apparatus that also contributes meaningfully towards nation-building,” he said.
He linked these efforts to India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, saying, “Our lines of efforts as regards the developed nation by 2047 are truly aligned.”
