New Delhi (India), January 13 : Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi addressed the situation along the border with China, stating that it remains “stable but sensitive,” while emphasizing that there are no “buffer zones” along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). He noted that both sides are focused on resolving their boundary issues.
In his annual Army Day press conference, Gen Dwivedi explained that the Army Headquarters had empowered Corps Commanders to handle minor issues independently, preventing them from escalating. “It is stable but sensitive. There have been several meetings, including discussions with the Prime Minister and the Chinese leadership… As for Depsang and Demchok, since April 2029, both sides have moved forward and prevented each other from accessing traditional patrolling areas,” he said while responding to ANI’s queries.
Discussing ongoing efforts to resolve border issues, he highlighted that both sides have completed two rounds of verification patrolling, with both parties satisfied with the process. He also mentioned that mutual agreements have been reached regarding grazing grounds.
Addressing the concept of buffer zones, Gen Dwivedi clarified, “There is nothing called a buffer zone. In areas where violence could escalate quickly, we create distance between the sides. Some places were declared as temporary moratoriums, meaning both sides stay back from common areas to prevent high violence risk.”
Gen Dwivedi emphasized the need for renewed trust following the developments after April 2020. “Post-April 2020, the trust level between the two countries needs a new definition. We must sit down together to reach a broader understanding on how to de-escalate the situation and restore trust,” he said, adding that they are now awaiting the next special representatives’ meeting.
In October last year, India and China agreed on patrolling arrangements along the LAC in border areas. The India-China border standoff, which began in 2020 in eastern Ladakh due to Chinese military actions, has significantly strained bilateral relations. During a meeting at the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, last year, Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the border and fostering mutual trust as the foundation of their relationship.