New Delhi: The Indian Army should be firm in dealing with China, and one has to stay prepared for any eventuality to ensure peace, the new chief of the 1.3 million strong force, Gen M.M. Naravane said Friday, as he makes infrastructure and capability enhancements along northern and northeastern boundaries one of his focus areas.
Chief of Army Staff Gen Naravane, who has also served as the Eastern Army commander, however, said this does not mean the Army wants to be aggressive along the boundaries with China.
“We have two neighbours, one to the West (Pakistan) and one to the North (China), with large boundary. The borders in the north is very large. It is natural we need to focus there. I am not saying one is big and the other not. We are preparing for any eventuality. If we want peace, we should be ready,” he said responding to ThePrint in an interaction at the Army Headquarters.
He was asked who he considers to be a bigger challenge — China or Pakistan.
Naravane, known to shoot a straight arrow when it comes to military matters, added, “We have to be firm in our resolve. We don’t want to be aggressive but firm. Does not mean we have to go and create a friction in any other talks that is going on. We should know what we want.”
Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, the former Army chief, had in an interview to ThePrint said it was important to have soldiers in reserve along the LAC rather than have an “LoC mindset” of “deploying and defending every inch”. Commenting on this, Naravane said, “That is still a matter of discussion. Nothing is constant in terms of tactics. It is an ongoing process”.
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Terror camps and launchpads continue to exist in Pakistan
Speaking on Pakistan, Gen Naravane said terror camps and launchpads continue to exist in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.
However, he said, Balakot strike had sent a clear signal that Pakistan sponsors terror against India with impunity.
“The Balakot strike has sent a message to Pakistan that you cannot operate with impunity. A note of caution will come in whenever they plan something next,” he said.
Naravane said the Balakot terror camp has been reactivated, but added that it was on expected lines.
“Even when in war a bridge is destroyed, it is expected that it will be constructed again. Balakot camp was destroyed but has been activated after (some) time,” he said.
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