China increased border troops: Indian Army chief

By Shuriah Niazi

NEW DELHI (AA) – Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande said on Thursday that there has been a slight increase in the number of Chinese troops on the border near the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, but the forces are keeping a close eye on the situation.

The situation along India's northern borders with China is stable but "unpredictable," the army chief said at a press conference ahead of Army Day in New Delhi.

“Deployment from the adversary side on the northern border continues in the same manner. We have an equal number of troops on our side,” he said, adding that the troops deployed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) have been able to maintain a robust posture to defeat any evil design of the adversary with a firm and resolute manner.

He said the Indian Army was able to resolve five of the seven issues on the table with China.

“We continue to talk both at the military and diplomatic levels. We've enough reserves to deal with any contingency," he said.

Since May 2020, the two countries have been locked in a standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) – the de facto border between China and India in Ladakh area of disputed Jammu and Kashmir.

In June 2020, at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers were killed in a border clash.

Tensions at the border eased after several rounds of talks between the two sides.

Pande said the cease-fire on the other side of the border with Pakistan has been maintained. However, he claimed that the neighbor's support for terror infrastructure and terror groups is still ongoing.

“There is a marked reduction in the parameters of violence. Hence, we have to remain alert," he added.