New Delhi: Asserting that transgressions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) continue to have the potential for escalation, Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande said the border with China requires constant, close monitoring as it could lead to a broader conflict.
In a wide-ranging assessment of the northern neighbour, Pande spoke about the nature of China’s rise and its repercussions for India’s strategic environment. On Monday, March 27, the army chief gave a speech at the second Strategic Dialogue on ‘Rise of China and its Implications for the World’, organised by the Savitribai Phule Pune University and the New Delhi-based Centre for China Analysis and Strategy.
“I think the most important aspect of our operational environment remains our legacy challenges of the unsettled and disputed borders. Pockets of dispute and contested claims to the territory continue to exist due to differing perceptions of the alignment of the Line of Actual Control. Transgressions remain the potential trigger for escalations,” he warned.
Consequently, he stated that Sino-Indian border management requires close monitoring as infirmities can lead to a broader conflict.
“As we all know, we have agreements/protocols – (signed in) 1993, 1996, 2005, and 2013 – in the military domain to maintain peace and tranquillity on the LAC. Of concerns remain the violations of these by China – with their attempt to carry out – transgressions across the LAC,” he said.
Since May 2020, India and China have been involved in a military stand-off at the LAC in eastern Ladakh. It led to the first fatalities in over 40 years when Indian and Chinese troops clashed hand-to-hand in Galwan in June 2020. While de-escalation has taken place at several ‘friction points’ through the creation of buffer zones, there is no sign of resolution of the remaining stand-off areas of Demchok and Depsang.
New Delhi has consistently maintained that peace and tranquillity must be established in the border regions for its relationship with Beijing to be normalised. Emphasising that the boundary issue is closely linked to bilateral relations, the army chief cited external affairs minister S. Jaishankar’s statement that for India-China ties to improve and endure, they must be founded on mutual sensitivity, respect, and interest.
General Pande said engagement mechanisms exist between the two countries at political, diplomatic, and military levels, which are optimally utilised to ensure stability along the LAC.
Talks are continuing under these establishment mechanisms, he said.
He said the Indian Army’s strategic orientation and long-term capability development have focused on the northern border.
An Indian army vehicle moves towards Ladakh, amid India-China border dispute in eastern Ladakh, at Bara-lacha la mountain pass in Lahual district, July 11, 2020. Photo: PTI
General Pande stated that India and China had established engagement mechanisms at political, diplomatic, and military levels that are effectively employed to maintain stability along the LAC. He mentioned that ongoing discussions are being conducted under these established mechanisms.
According to General Pande, the necessary rebalancing of forces has been completed to achieve the intended response on the northern border. He assured India has sufficient reserves and is ready to tackle unforeseen circumstances.
The Army chief reaffirmed that their level of preparedness remains high, and Indian troops are engaging with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in a “firm, resolute, and measured manner while ensuring the sanctity of our claims”.
General Pande also mentioned that the Indian Army had intensified its efforts to fulfil operationally essential logistical needs, particularly constructing roads in the forward areas.
“China has accrued significant capacities for force mobilisation, application, and sustenance of military operations. It has built infrastructure of military significance – be it roads, airfields, helipads, and so on,” the Army chief added.
General Pande commented on China’s global aspirations, stating that the country aims to replace the United States as a global net security provider. He cited Beijing’s involvement in brokering recent peace talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran and presenting a peace plan to end the 13-month-long Russia-Ukraine war as examples.
General Pande also discussed China’s remarkable economic growth and transition from an agrarian economy to a world leader in manufacturing and services sectors, earning a reputation as the “world’s factory.” He noted that many developing countries aspire to follow China’s path to success.
However, the Army chief highlighted China’s efforts to expand its sphere of influence through predatory economics, weaponising resource supply chains, financing large infrastructure projects with little consideration for environmental and safety standards, and burdening recipient countries with unsustainable debt.
General Pande also raised concerns regarding the theft of Intellectual Property Rights, stealing trade secrets and technology from foreign companies and unfair trade practices.