GEN. NARAVANE SAYS ARMY IS EVER READY

Army chief General M.M. Naravane asserted on Tuesday that Indian army is “alert and ever-ready to meet any challenge” from China and there has been no reduction in Chinese deployment in friction areas in Eastern Ladakh.

“We are prepared to hold our ground as long it takes to achieve our national goals and objectives,” said Army chief.

“It is not only the Eastern Ladakh but we have maintained a high state of alertness all along the Northern borders as of now, keeping the threat perception in mind. We have gone in for a winter posture and deployment,” he said.

Gen Naravane said that not much should be read in Chinese withdrawing troops from depth areas in the Tibetan plateau that were there for training.

“There has been no decrease in strength either on the Chinese side or our side as far as the friction points are concerned,” he said.

Army Chief said that all logistics aspects have been taken care of, whether it is clothing, ration or habitat and “as a result of all this, our operational preparedness is of a very high order and the morale of the troops is high.”

“We keep saying that we are prepared to meet all challenges. But last year we had to walk the talk and actually rise up to the occasion and show that we are indeed prepared to meet all these challenges,” he said.

However, Gen Naravane said that he was hopeful that India and China will be able to reach an agreement to resolve the eastern Ladakh standoff.

“We are now awaiting the date of 9th round of Corps Commanders talks. I am sure that through dialogue and discussion, we will be able to reach an amicable solution based on the principle of mutual and equal security,” said the Army chief.