Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi held his first press briefing after assuming charge as part of the Annual Press Conference at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi on Monday. During the conference, he provided updates on military and security developments in Manipur, the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, the Line of Control (LOC) in Jammu and Kashmir, and Bangladesh-India relations.
Key Highlights:
Manipur
the Army chief accentuated the overall situation of the Northeast to be improving. Addressing the issue of recurring violence in Manipur, he specified the situation to be improving with the synergized efforts by security forces and proactive governments.
He acknowledged the routine aggression in the state and assured the army’s efforts to establish peace. He said, “We are working to establish peace in the region”. He further expressed the important role played by community leaders to neutralize the situation and stated, “ Various NGOs and our veterans are reaching out to the community leaders to give effect to a kind of reconciliation”
On the Indo-Myanmar border, he assured that enhanced surveillance and control have been implemented along the border to prevent any spillover of the turbulence occurring in Myanmar.
The army chief also revealed the allocation of Rs 17 crores for upgrading quick response teams and quick response medical teams as part of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
LAC
Addressing the tensions between India and China Mr Dwivedi called the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) as “stable but sensitive”. He elaborated on the situation in Ladakh’s Depsang and Demchok areas where tensions first emerged in April 2020.
Updating about the LAC region he said, “It is stable but sensitive. There have been a series of meetings. Even the Prime Minister has met the Chinese head.”
Over the developments in the Depsang and Demchok region, he notified, “In October situation in Depsang and Demchok in Eastern Ladakh got resolved. The patrolling of traditional areas in these two sub-sectors has commenced. Similarly, traditional grazing has also commenced in these two areas.” He added that regarding patrolling and grazing all co-commanders have been instructed to handle the issue and solve them at the military level.
General Dwivedi disclosed the creation of “temporary moratorium” zones in specific areas to prevent the escalation of violence during negotiations. He also emphasized the need for a “new definition” of trust between India and China.
Pakistan
General Dwivedi assured that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir was firmly under control. He confirmed that infiltration attempts in the region were ongoing.
The army chief held Pakistan responsible for promoting terrorism. He stated, “The violence level is being orchestrated by the epicentre of terrorism that is Pakistan.” He added, “Last year, 60% of terrorists eliminated were of Pakistan origin. As of today, whatever is a remnant in the Valley and Jammu area, we feel that around 80% or more are of Pakistan origin.”
Reflecting on the Line of Control, he stated, “On Line of Control, ceasefire which is effective from February 2021 after the DGMO understanding is holding on. However, the terror infrastructure remains intact”
Providing an optimistic approach, General Dwivedi mentioned, “Overall violence parameters are under control. We witnessed more than 5 lakh pilgrims during Amarnath Yatra this time and the peaceful conduct of elections are indicator of a positive change”. He believes that gradually the theme of J&K is changing from terrorism to tourism.
Bangladesh
Regarding the situation in Bangladesh, Chief Dwivedi recalled the Bangladesh chief’s declaration that India is strategically important to Bangladesh and vice versa. He expressed his agreement with the statement.
Army chief noted, “We are neighbours, we have to live together and understand each other and any kind of animosity is not in each other’s interest. As of today, there is no vulnerability from any side.”
On military cooperation, he emphasised the relationship with the military to be cordial and stated, “As far as military cooperation is concerned, it is going up in the same way. Our officers have moved there for the NDC also.” He informed that the joint excise between the countries has been postponed but will soon resume once the situation improves.
