“Won’t let any attempt to change status quo along India’s border to succeed” – Army Chief Naravane To China

The Indian Army’s message is clear that it will not let any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo along the country’s borders succeed, Army Chief Gen M M Naravane said on Saturday. In an address at the Army Day Parade here, he said last year was extremely challenging for the Army and cited the developments on the northern borders with China.

Army Day is observed on January 15 to mark Field Marshall K M Cariappa taking over as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, replacing his British predecessor in 1949 Referring to the Eastern Ladakh standoff, Gen Naravane said that to keep the situation under control the 14th round military-level talks were held between India and China recently.

“Our patience is a sign of our self-confidence, but no one should make the mistake of testing it,” Gen Naravane said. “Our message is clear, the Indian Army won’t let any attempt to unilaterally change status quo along country’s borders to succeed.” The armies of India and China are locked in a military standoff in eastern Ladakh since May 5, 2020, after a violent clash erupted in the Pangong lake area. Both countries have conducted 14 rounds of military-level talks to resolve the standoff.