Army chief says Chinese threat in Ladakh has 'by no means reduced', forces prepared

The threat in eastern Ladakh has "by no means reduced" and the Indian Army will continue to deal with the Chinese military in a "firm" and "resolute" manner, Chief of Army Staff Gen MM Naravane said on Wednesday.

The India-China border standoff has continued for 20 months now since June 2020 deadly Galwan clash, and has seriously strained ties between the two countries.

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Gen Naravane also said that war or conflict is always an "instrument of last resort" but if it is thrust upon India, then the country will come out victorious,as he noted that the overall situation in eastern Ladakh is "stable and under control".

His comments at a press conference ahead of Army Day on January 15 came on a day India and China held the 14th round of Corps Commander level talks to resolve the military standoff in eastern Ladakh.

The Army chief asserted that China's new land boundary law was not binding on India and that the Indian Army is more than adequately prepared to deal with any military ramifications of the legislation.

Gen Naravane said his forces have been maintaining the highest level of operational preparedness in eastern Ladakh and the threat assessment and internal deliberations have resulted in re-organisation and re-alignment of the troops.

Describing the situation in eastern Ladakh as "stable and under control", the Army chief referred to the resolution of issues through talks at certain friction points and said he was confident of finding solutions to the remaining ones.