New Delhi: The Indian Army will continue with heavy deployment of troops at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) unless the status quo that existed till the middle of 2020 is achieved between India and China, Army Chief General Manoj Pande said Thursday. The Army Chief said while the discussions on disengagement and de-escalation are going on between New Delhi and Beijing to resolve the ongoing border dispute with China at the Ladakh sector both at the military as well as diplomatic levels, there will be “no reduction” of troops. 

“Currently our attempt is to continue with the talks (with China) to go back to the status quo ante which existed in mid of 2020. And once that happens then we can go back to the large issues of troops reduction all. But that (status quo ante) is our first aim to achieve,” the Army Chief said, addressing the Annual Media Conference Thursday. 

He made it clear that there will be no move taken in terms of disengagement as well as de-escalation unless the objective is fulfilled. 

Gen. Pande also made it clear that until the objective of status quo ante is achieved the Indian Army will continue to put in more forces as and when needed. 

The Army Chief also underlined the need for having a dialogue with China under existing mechanisms, be it between the two militaries or between the diplomatic community. 

“This is an ongoing process … The situation at the norther border is stable but sensitive,” he said. The Chief of Army Staff also eluded to the fact that the infrastructure development at the LAC is going on and soon Army posts there will have 4G & 5G connections. 

India and China have been engaged in a military standoff at the Ladakh sector of the LAC since April-May 2020. So far, troops on both sides have disengaged from Pangong Tso, Galwan Valley, Gogra (PP-17A) and Hot Springs (PP-15). 

However, there have been no easing of tensions in the Depsang and Demchok sectors. 

Last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping was to visit India for the G20 Summit hosted by India and expectations were that the border tensions will be eased. But Xi turned down India’s invitation and sent a representative of his to attend the Summit.