‘Don’t Test Our Patience’: Army Chief Naravane’s Message to China

Naravane also said that the sacrifice of the Galwan heroes in eastern Ladakh will not go waste.

General Manoj Mukund Naravane said that the face-off between the Chinese People’s Liberation Army troops and Indian troops is nothing new.

(Photo: PTI)

Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane on Friday, 15 January, sent a strong message to China, saying that no one should commit the mistake of testing India’s patience though it is committed to resolve the tensions between the two nations through military and political talks.

Naravane said that India gave a befitting response to China in the conspiracy to make unilateral changes along the contested Line of Actual Control (LAC).

"Our brave officers, JCOs, and soldiers have given a befitting reply to our adversaries, many laying down their lives in the highest traditions of the Indian Army,” he said.

“I want to assure the country that sacrifice of bravehearts of Galwan would not go in vain,” he said.

“While remaining committed to resolving disputes through dialogue and diplomacy, the Indian Army has been swift and decisive in its response to counter any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo on the Line of Actual Control.”

Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane

The army chief also said 300 to 400 terrorists are present in camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir who are waiting to sneak into India, according to ANI. There has also been a 40 percent increase in ceasefire violations by Pakistan at the LoC.

Naravane made these statements at the Army Day address at the Parade Ground in Delhi Cantonment.

India is celebrating its 73rd Army Day on 15 January 2021. On 15 January 1949, then Lieutenant General KM Cariappa took over as Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from General Francis Butcher, the last British Commander-in-Chief of India.

This day is considered important in the history of independent India. Since then, India is celebrating Indian Army Day on 15 January to honour nation’s army.

Army Prepared to Hold Ground: Naravane

In a statement earlier this week, Naravane had said that even if the ongoing military and diplomatic talks with China to reduce tensions are prolonged, the army is prepared to hold its ground in eastern Ladakh for as long as it takes.

He also described a joint threat from China and Pakistan as a very potent one.

Though the PLA’s frontline deployments remain unchanged, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has moved back at least 10,000 soldiers from depth areas in the Ladakh theatre to rear positions, Hindustan Times reported on Monday.

Naravane, at his customary annual press conference on 12 January said that he was hopeful that an amicable solution is expected to come out of the ongoing dialogue with China.

He also said that the army was ready to deal with any eventuality.

Standoff Continues at LAC

India and China have been engaged in a nine-month-long standoff at the LAC.

The tensions between India and China, which began in May, soared in June, when 20 Indian soldiers were killed in the Galwan Valley clashes. Amid the continuing border standoff in eastern Ladakh, several rounds of talks have been held at both the military and diplomatic levels, but there has been no clear resolution till yet.

The ninth round of military talks are yet to take place between the senior commanders of both the countries.

( With inputs from PTI, ANI & Hindustan Times)