Army To Impart Mandarin Language Training To Personnel For Better Engagement With Chinese Troops

According to Army officials, various Mandarin language courses are currently being run at the language schools at the Northern, Eastern and Central commands of the Army.

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing tension in eastern Ladakh, the Army has decided to induct Mandarin experts for imparting the Chinese language training to its personnel in a bid to ramp up surveillance along the over-3,400km Line of Actual Control (LAC), news agency PTI reported. According to the report, the Army has taken a slew of measures to boost its Mandarin expertise so that the senior and junior military commanders can engage with Chinese military personnel as and when the need arises.

According to Army officials, various Mandarin language courses are currently being run at the language schools at the Northern, Eastern and Central commands of the Army. The Army is also using artificial intelligence-based solutions for the translation of various scripts or literature from the Mandarin language, they said.

“With improved Mandarin skills, the Indian Army personnel will be better empowered to convey their points in a much more cogent manner,” PTI quoted one of the sources as saying.

Notably, the Indian Army has recently obtained approvals to induct Mandarin-trained personnel in the Territorial Army.

“With a recalibration of its strategic outlook towards the northern borders, the Indian Army has upscaled its Chinese language training and synergistically enmeshed appropriate scaling of Chinese linguists within its overall strategy,” another source said.

As per the officials, there is a requirement for Chinese language experts for analysis at the operational and strategic level for futuristic needs.

They further said that an increasing number of Mandarin experts are required for better exchange of viewpoints and understanding of the Chinese PLA’s version of their activities during various interactions, such as Corps Commander-level talks, flag meetings, joint exercises and Border Personnel Meetings (BPMs).

Notably, the Indian Army has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), the Central University of Gujarat (CUG) and the Shiv Nadar University (SNU) for imparting Mandarin training to its personnel.