As India and China are regularly holding talks to defuse tension at the Line of Actual Control(LAC), Army Chief General MM Naravane said here on Wednesday the country has shown resolve. He also said “nobody wants an unsettled border” and favoured resumption of all engagements with China.
In an apparent reference to the recent pull back of troops by both the armies from the Pangong Tso(lake), the Army Chief said the whole of the government approach ensured that India’s interests were safe. He also said “our relations with China would develop along the path that we wish to develop.”
Referring to the disengagement from the Pangong, he said it saw a good result and termed it as a win-win situation. However, there is still a long way to go, Naravane said adding China has been in the habit of making small incremental moves like in South China Sea which were not challenged. However, the Ladakh face-offs have shown that this strategy will not work with India and “every move will be met resolutely.”
“China has been in the habit of creeping forward and making very small incremental changes where each change by itself was not very big or worthy of a very strong reaction. Because of these small incremental moves which were never contested he has been been able to achieve his aims without firing a shot or without any loss of life. What has happened in South China Sea is a very glaring example of that,” he said at the webinar by Vivekananda Institute.
Airing these views, Naravane said nobody wants an unsettled border adding “as two neighbours who would like to have peace and tranquility on their borders and who would like that all the other engagements which have been going on in the past should continue also in the future.”
As regards disengagement from other friction points at the LAC, the Army Chief said there are pending issues in Eastern Ladakh and other parts along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) including Depsang Plains.
“End of the day we have achieved a lot,” he said, stating, “We still have a long way to go. We now have to move on to the stage of de-escalation. After that de-induction of troops which went to the higher reaches.”
Admitting there is trust deficit with China, Naravane said they will be wary and cautious and closely watching whatever moves that happen on either side of the LAC.
To a question if India has more tactical leverages like the domination of peaks on Kailash range which have now been vacated, Naravane said they do, without elaborating.
“Every agreement is premised that they are observed in letter and spirit. We will trust but we will verify,” he said adding they have put in systems to verify that these heights are not re-occupied.
On collusion between China and Pakistan, the Army Chief said there was no overt collusion and they have plans in place for a two and half front threat, the half being internal security.
However, he said it is the worst case scenario but with whole of government approach and activities at the diplomatic and political level “such a worst case scenario should not be unfolding.”