Boundary Dispute Remains Basic Issue With China, Beijing Wants To Keep It ‘Alive’, Says Army Chief

Army Chief General Manoj Pande said that India aims to establish trust and tranquillity on both sides but it can not be a “one-way affair.” 

Army Chief General Manoj Pande

Source : AFP

New Delhi: Army Chief General Manoj Pande on Monday said that the boundary dispute which remains as the basic issue between India and China has been kept “alive” by Beijing and asserted that Indian troops are adequately deployed to deal with any situation along the frontier, reported news agency PTI. 

He said that the Army's aim is to restore the status quo ante prior to April 2020 and that guidance has been given to the troops deployed along the border to remain firm and resolute in their tasks.

"Our aim is to restore the status quo ante prior to April 2020," he said.

Talking to a group of journalists, the Army chief said that Indian troops continue to hold "important positions" along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) adding that the Army has a "robust posture" to confront any situation.

"The basic issue remains the resolution of the border. What we see is that China's intent has been to keep the boundary issue alive," he said.

"What we need as a country is a 'whole of nation' approach and in the military domain, this is to prevent and counter any attempt to alter the status quo at the LAC," the Army chief said further.

He said that India aims to establish trust and tranquillity on both sides but it can not be a “one-way affair.” 

"Our troops continue to hold important positions along the LAC. As far as the situation is concerned, guidance given to the troops is to remain firm and resolute in the task they are undertaking and prevent attempts to change the status quo," he said.

Gen Pande, who took the office over a week ago, said the diplomatic and military talks between the two sides resulted in the disengagement of troops on the north and south banks of Pangong Tso, Gogra and Patrolling Point 14 in Galwan, and added, "We hope to find resolution through dialogue in remaining areas."