Not looking at reduction of troops along LAC: Army Chief

The Indian Army Chief, Gen Upendra Dwivedi, on Monday ruled out, for now, a reduction in troop levels along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). However, a ‘degree’ of stand-off prevails in eastern Ladakh due to a greater number of troops and military infrastructure set up after April 2020, he added.

The Army Chief was addressing a press conference in New Delhi ahead of the Army Day. Asked if there was a move to reduce troops in view of October 2024 patrolling arrangements, he said, “For now, during winters, we are not looking at reduction in troop levels along LAC”.

‘Women officers doing well’

Answering a question on the role of women in the Army, Gen Upendra Dwivedi said, “As far as Indian Army is concerned, we want strong women officers. So what it means, 'Kaali Mata Ka Roop', maybe”. The Army Chief said women officers were doing exceedingly well, and the force was

planning to launch an all-woman skydiving team this year.

Animosity not in interests of India, Bangladesh

On strained ties with Bangladesh, the Army Chief said, “We are neighbours and we have to understand each other. Any kind of animosity is not in each other’s interests”.

n As of today, there was no vulnerability from any side, he said, adding that for India, Bangladesh was strategically important.

“Troop deployment directly depends on the trust factor (between the two armies) and the capabilities have been created on the other side. The current capabilities across entail that we will need to maintain the troop levels”, the Army Chief said adding that a review will be done ahead of summers.

The Army Chief said since April 2020 both sides have doctored the terrain on their sides, have added troops, stocked up (arms and weapons) and added troop numbers, “so in these terms there is a degree of stand-off”. The Army chief added, “We are looking at the next round of talks at the level of the Special Representatives and the WMCC (Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination) on India–China Border Affairs ,” General Dwivedi said.

…defends Krishna painting in office

New Delhi, January 13

Almost a month after a famous painting, depicting signing of surrender documents by Pakistan Army at Dhaka 1971 was moved out of his South Block office, the Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi defended the move and added that the new painting in its place, depicted the past, present and the future.

The new painting, titled Karam Kshetra (Field of Deeds) showcases Pangong Tso, a lake along the LAC in eastern Ladakh. Near the lake, it shows boats, all-terrain vehicles, tanks, and Apache helicopters. It also incorporates Chanakya and Lord Krishna guiding Arjuna’s chariot in the Mahabharata.

He said, “If you open chapter four of the original copy of the Constitution, there is a painting of Krishna and Arjuna on a chariot, so is the Constitution also mythological?”— TNS