The Chief of Defence Staff has said that India is always prepared for military action if talks with China fail. A bold statement from the general who command the entire Indian Armed forces sends a clear message to China over its intrusion into parts of Ladakh, where various levels of talks could not restore a complete status quo along the borders.
India’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat on Monday has explicitly told Hindustan Times that a military option to deal with transgressions by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army in Ladakh is on the table, but will be exercised only if talks between the two armies and the diplomatic option are unfruitful.
“Transgressions along the LAC occur due to differing perceptions about its alignment. Defence services are tasked to monitor and carry out surveillance and prevent such transgressions turning into intrusions. Whole of government approach is adopted to peacefully resolve any such activity and prevent intrusions. Defence services always remain prepared for military actions should all efforts to restore status quo along the LAC do not succeed,” General Rawat is quoted to have stated according to the report.
“Defence minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and all those responsible for national security are reviewing all options with the objective that PLA restores status quo ante in Ladakh,” added the Defence Chief of Staff.
The border forces of China and India engaged a violent clash earlier this year. Twenty Indian soldiers including a colonel has been martyred while China has reported more than 43 casualties from the scuffle, despite efforts to resolve the dispute peacefully. The statement comes during a time when disengagement talks have not been able to restore the complete status quo. The Chinese army have not retreated completely, leading to a protracted stand off along the border.
Dr. Sangay, President of exile Tibetan administration recently explained that there was no tension along the borders for India before China occupied Tibet. Since Chinese invasion of Tibet, there has been border incursions along India’s borders. He added that solving the issue of Tibet is the key to solving long standing border disputes between the two Asian giants.
Photo (ANI)
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