NEW DELHI (CU)_Despite the de-escalation of tensions along the Pangong Lake in Ladakh, the threat from China has not yet dissipated, India’s Army chief said on Thursday (25 March).
Participating in the Times Now International Economic Conclave, General MM Naravane said: “Unless a substantial amount of de-escalation takes place and the troops that had come from multiple places and are currently within striking distance of the border go back, the threat remains.”
He noted that tensions on the country’s Northern borders, which were resolved through high level discussions, have resurfaced once again.
Stressing the need to demarcate the Line of Actual Control, the Army chief claimed that the seriousness of Pakistan’s willingness to cease military hostilities along the Line of Control can only be determined after the onset of the summer.
He further noted that following the decision by India and Pakistan to observe a ceasefire along the de facto border last month, there had only one incident breaching the agreement between the two countries.
“The whole month of March, we didn’t witness even a single round being fired on the LC barring one incident,” General Naravane said. “It is for the first time in about five to six years that the LC has been silent. This really bodes well for the future. With peace and tranquillity prevailing on the border, it will contribute to the peace and stability of the country.”
Nevertheless, he pointed out that despite the de-escalation of tensions along the border, however, terrorists and terror infrastructure still remain in place.
“…we will have to wait till the snow melts in order to see the seriousness with which Pakistanis treat this ceasefire,” he added.
According to General Naravane, the reasons for Islamabad’s move for peace with New Delhi were the threat of FATF sanctions, the situation on its Western border with Afghanistan, as well as domestic compulsions.
Yet, the Army chief did express cautious optimism over the future of the arrangement with the neighbouring country.
“We have reasons to be hopeful as the Pakistani Army is on board. Since the firing along the LC was done to give cover to the terrorists attempting to infiltrate and there has been no firing recently, there is cause to be optimistic about the future,” he said.
