Indo-China Border Crisis: Hoping For Peaceful Solution, Ready To Meet Any Eventuality, Says Army Chief Naravane

The Army chief also reiterated that the forces are ready to take on any kind of external and internal threat

Indian Army Chief MM Naravane (Image Pic: PTI)

New Delhi: Indian Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane on Tuesday said he is hopeful that talks could lead to an amicable solution to the border crisis with China after a standoff with PLA soldiers last year. The 9th round of talks is awaited, and he hoped to reach a solution.   General Manoj Mukund Naravane made the statements during the annual Army Day press conference where he reiterated that the forces are ready to take on any kind of external and internal threat. While talking about terrorist activities, Naravane said, “Pakistan continues to embrace terrorism. We have a zero-tolerance for terror. We reserve our right to respond at a time and place of our own choosing and with precision. This is a clear message we have sent across”.  The army chief said Chinese troops have retreated from depth areas in the Tibetan plateau but there has been no thinning of troops at friction points in eastern Ladakh. A broad roadmap has been prepared to bring in all the new technologies to develop a technology-enabled army to meet the challenges of the future, added Naravane. The army chief stated that while the Indian Army is hoping for a peaceful solution and ready to meet any eventuality. He further said the major challenges the Armed Forces faced last year were Covid-19 and the situation at the northern borders. Referring to the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and China, he said, "We have maintained a high state of alertness all along the northern borders. We are hoping for a peaceful solution but are ready to meet any eventuality. All logistics are taken care of".