India keeps an eye on PLA movement in Ladakh theatre
The ongoing disengagement process of the Indian Army and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh was a “win-win situation” for both sides, says the Indian Army Chief.
The Army Chief Gen MM Naravane was speaking at a talk organized by Vivekananda International Foundation on the Role of Indian Army in Dealing with National Security Challenges on Wednesday February 24, 2021.
Responding to questions on the border standoff at the end of his talk, Gen Naravane stated “The talks had a good outcome, disengagement is a very good result.” Adding, “Every move will be met resolutely.”
“China has been in the habit of making small incremental moves like in the South China Sea which were not challenged. But the Ladakh Standoff has shown that this strategy will not work with India,” the Chief said.
The Chinese decision-makers cannot but be aware of the Indian Army’s capabilities and long experience both in combat and sustaining viable fighting formations in extreme conditions. They seem to have realised that the Indian Army could not be stared down.
The Indian Army and the Chinese PLA have held 11 rounds of talks between corps commander-ranked officers since June 6, 2020, to reduce tensions along the disputed border.(AP)
Even more importantly, the Indian government’s political line has been very clear and widely supported during this confrontation with the northern adversary. Optimum synergy between the Indian Army and the Foreign Ministry was apparent at all times, be it during various meetings at the LAC or in diplomatic statements. The Chinese had been effectively halted at Doklam in west Bhutan in June 2017 and the PLA got a much larger dose of the same medicine from the same Army in east Ladakh for the better part of 2020.
Apparently, China has realised that being the bigger power, continuation of this standoff would not be to its advantage. This was one battle it may not be able to win by contact warfare.
About the coronavirus crisis, Gen Naravane said the Army is fully ready to extend all possible assistance in India's fight against the pandemic "We are an Army of the people, for the people," he said.
"There is no difference in mobilising for the pandemic. This is because time to time we also assist in dealing with other natural calamities. We are quite well geared up. All three branches of armed forces have been working collectively," he said.
Naravane said 90 per cent of the forces' personnel have been administered the second dose of coronavirus vaccine and soon it will touch 95 per cent.