NEW DELHI: Chief of Defense Staff Gen Bipin Rawat on Friday he said the situation across LAC in eastern Ladakh “remains tense.”
However, China’s PLA faces “unforeseen consequences for its misadventure in Ladakh,” Rawat said.
The CDS also reiterated India’s position on LAC, saying, “Our position is unequivocal; we will not accept any changes to the Royal Line of Control.”
Full coverage: India-China border showdown
A large-scale conflict with China is unlikely, but “border confrontations and unprovoked military actions that escalate into a larger conflict cannot be ruled out,” Rawat said.
Rawat also listed a number of factors, such as China’s support for Pakistan, the border dispute and the BRI project that would ensure that India-China ties remain a “fundamentally competitive” relationship for the near future.
The former army chief also said that Balakot and the surgical strikes have sent a strong message to Pakistan.
However, China’s PLA faces “unforeseen consequences for its misadventure in Ladakh,” Rawat said.
The CDS also reiterated India’s position on LAC, saying, “Our position is unequivocal; we will not accept any changes to the Royal Line of Control.”
Full coverage: India-China border showdown
A large-scale conflict with China is unlikely, but “border confrontations and unprovoked military actions that escalate into a larger conflict cannot be ruled out,” Rawat said.
Rawat also listed a number of factors, such as China’s support for Pakistan, the border dispute and the BRI project that would ensure that India-China ties remain a “fundamentally competitive” relationship for the near future.
The former army chief also said that Balakot and the surgical strikes have sent a strong message to Pakistan.
“Pakistan no longer enjoys the impunity of pushing terrorists into India under the nuclear specter,” Rawat added.
India and China have been involved in a border confrontation for most of the past six months. Tensions between the two giants escalated when Indian and Chinese troops clashed in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley on June 15, leaving 20 Indian soldiers dead. China has not officially recognized the number of victims on its side.
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