Situation at LAC tense, Chinese army facing consequences of misadventure: CDS
The situation at the Line of Actual Control continues to be tense and China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is facing “unanticipated consequences” for its misadventure in the area because of the “firm and strong” responses by the Indian armed forces, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat said on Friday (November 6).
Addressing a webinar by the National Defence College, Rawat said India will not accept any shifting of the LAC.
“Our posturing is unambiguous. We will not accept any shifting of the Line of Actual Control,” he said.
Related news: Violent Ladakh clashes have left India-China relations disturbed: MEA
Also talking about the cross-border terrorism from Pakistan, the CDS said the “constant friction” with the two nuclear-armed neighbours (Pakistan and China) poses a danger of regional strategic instability with the potential for escalation.
He also suggested that the two countries with whom India had fought wars are increasingly acting in cohesion.
Rawat said the “unabated proxy war” unleashed by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir accompanied by “vicious” anti-India rhetoric have taken the ties between the two countries to a new low.
“The surgical strikes after the Uri attack and Balakot air strikes have delivered a strong message that Pakistan no longer enjoys the impunity of pushing terrorists across the LoC under the nuclear bogey.”
He said the new Indian template to deal with terrorism has injected ambiguity and uncertainty in Pakistan, adding India will confront terrorism with a firm hand.
Related news: India can’t depend on US-led Quad to end impasse with China
Rawat said despite internal problems, a failing economy, international isolation and vitiated civil-military relations, Pakistan will continue to “profess” that Kashmir is their “unfinished agenda”.
“And their Army will continue to raise the bogey of an existential threat from India to justify their disproportionately large strength and need for funds to maintain its war fighting capabilities,” he added.
(With inputs from agencies)
