NEW DELHI, JAN 15
The Indian Army stands firm to counter any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo along the country’s borders and India’s desire for peace is born out of strength and should not be mistaken otherwise, Army Chief General MM Naravane said on Friday. The army chief also said that differences in perceptions and disputes are best resolved through established norms based on the principle of equal and mutual security.
The armies of India and China are locked in a military standoff in eastern Ladakh since May 5, 2020, after a violent clash erupted in the Pangong lake area.
In his msg, Chief of Army Staff Gen MM Naravane saluted supreme sacrifice of all who laid down their lives in line of duty, reiterating unstinted support to Veer Naris & NoK of fallen soldiers & assured Nation that @adgpi was operationally ready to deal with any adverse situation pic.twitter.com/pkgEvczztJ
— PRO Defence Gujarat (@DefencePRO_Guj) January 15, 2022
Both the countries have conducted 14 rounds of military-level talks to resolve the standoff.
“We stand firm to counter any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo along our borders. Our response to such attempts has been swift, calibrated and decisive as was seen when the situation so demanded,” Naravane said in his speech on the eve of Army Day.
#IndianArmy celebrated its 74th #ArmyDay today
15 #January is commemorated as “Army Day” to remember when General (later Field Marshal) KM Cariappa took command fm Gen Sir FRR Bucher, last British C-in-C in 1949 & became 1st #Indian Commander-in-Chief of Independent #India@ANI pic.twitter.com/7PGoSDNwQO
— PRO Defence Gujarat (@DefencePRO_Guj) January 15, 2022
Naravane said the Army has instituted additional safeguards to prevent any further attempts at military brinkmanship.
“We believe that the differences in perceptions and disputes are best resolved through established norms based on the principle of equal and mutual security,” he mentioned.
“Our desire for peace and tranquillity is born out of our inherent strength. It should not be mistaken otherwise,” he added.
Institutional mechanisms and safeguards to counter state-sponsored terrorism have been strengthened both along the borders and the hinterland, Naravane mentioned.
These mechanisms and safeguards have proven effective in lowering the levels of violence, he said.
