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NEW DELHI: The time has come for India to adopt a “government-wide approach” to decisively confront the “strategic uncertainties” looming on its horizon, as well as non-traditional threats such as pandemics, Army Chief Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane he has said, launching strongly to expand the country’s national security doctrine.
Speaking about the complex geopolitical power game in the Indian neighborhood, Gen Naravane He said that the Indian armed forces are determined to “cement” the country’s reputation as a provider of net security in the region.
“There is a full spectrum of strategic uncertainties looming on the horizon and a government-wide approach is the need when dealing with them,” the army chief told PTI.
Although General Naravane did not elaborate, his comments came in the context of the Pakistan-backed Taliban’s goal of playing a role in the power structure in Afghanistan and China’s persistent efforts to expand military ties with countries like Sri Lanka. , Nepal, Myanmar and the Maldives
“By addressing issues of a global nature, the armed forces with their inherent capabilities and capabilities will consolidate India’s reputation as a network security provider in the region, taking security as a holistic concept,” said General Naravane.
India is known to have been concerned about the extremely fragile and dynamic situation in Afghanistan after the United States closed a landmark agreement with the Taliban that provided for the withdrawal of US troops from the war-torn country.
The Army Chief also said that India needs to broaden its understanding of national security and should examine non-traditional threats such as “de novo” pandemics, as they have the potential to inflict serious damage on the country. “We need to act and prepare accordingly.”
He said that the “traditional threats” facing India remained “unabated” and that the armed forces are fully prepared to deal with them.
General Naravane said there has been no relief in the Indian army’s “stance” while guarding the Current Control Line (FTA) with China due to the coronavirus pandemic. LAC is the de facto border between the two countries.
“Throughout LAC, the patrol continues as before, although we have suspended ceremonial meetings of border personnel. There is also a greater reliance on hotlines,” he said.
The Army Chief of Staff said the effort has been to adhere to directives issued by both governments after two informal summits between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“As regards our deployment along the border with China, the focus is on mutual understanding and respect for the sanctity of LAC and on ensuring that no adverse incidents occur due to our different perceptions of LAC” , said.
“Our approach has been to ensure that all misunderstandings are amicably mitigated through existing discussions and mechanisms,” said General Naravane.
The border dispute between India and China covers a real line of control of 3,488 km. China claims that Arunachal Pradesh is part of southern Tibet, while India disputes it.
Both sides have been asserting that, pending the final resolution of the boundary problem, it is necessary to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas.
General Naravane said that troops deployed along the borders in remote and high-altitude areas have a minimal risk of becoming infected with the coronavirus as the areas are inaccessible to ordinary people.
He said that only troops that are medically validated as coronavirus-free can replace personnel deployed to key formations and borders.
“Keep in mind that in most of these places, due to the nature of the deployment and housing arrangements, social distancing is not feasible. However, whenever possible, distancing and hygiene measures are being strictly applied “, said.
General Naravane said ensuring the security of his force against the pandemic is his top priority, as the Army will be able to help the country meet the challenge if the troops are fighting in the right way.
“The need to maintain social distancing and hygiene standards takes on significant importance in the forces due to the higher density of personnel living within the barracks and the greater possibility that the virus will spread within the forces,” he said. .
He said that all the units and formations have received complete instructions to maintain social distance whenever possible and comply with the highest hygiene standards.
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