Expect normalcy at LAC in phased manner: Army

Indian Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday stated that ‘normal management’ of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China would be achieved in a phased manner. Speaking at an event in New Delhi, he addressed ongoing ‘trust issues’ with China and outlined India’s plan to restore the situation along the LAC to the status quo of April 2020.

General Dwivedi’s comments came a day after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced a newly agreed ‘patrolling arrangement’ with China along the LAC, signaling initial steps toward resolving the border standoff. Dwivedi emphasised that the phased process would involve disengagement, de-escalation, and ultimately a return to normal management of the border.

He further explained, “We want to go back to the status quo of April 2020. Thereafter, we will look at disengagement, de-escalation, and normal management of the LAC. This will be achieved in a phased manner, as has been our stance since April 2020.”

On the patrolling arrangement, General Dwivedi said it provides an advantage and is a step toward restoring trust between the two countries. He expressed optimism that once mutual trust is rebuilt, subsequent stages of disengagement and de-escalation would follow smoothly.

India has proposed a three-step process to China. The first phase involves disengaging troops positioned in grey zones along the LAC, with both sides returning to positions held in April 2020. Following this, de-escalation and de-induction steps will focus on withdrawing troops and equipment to pre-April 2020 levels.

General Dwivedi emphasized that rebuilding trust is crucial to progress, stating, “We are trying to restore trust. That will happen once we can see each other and reassure each other that we are not creeping into buffer zones that have been created.” Sources confirmed that these buffer zones are no-go areas for the armies of both nations. Dwivedi’s comments came on the same day PM Narendra Modi attended the BRICS summit in Russia, where he is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Want to go back to status quo

We want to go back to the status quo of April 2020. Thereafter, we will look at disengagement, de-escalation and normal management of the Line of Actual Control. This will be achieved in a phased manner. — Gen Upendra Dwivedi, Army Chief