Source: Google

By- Ishani Panda

Army Chief Gen M M Naravane Tuesday reviewed India’s military preparedness in eastern Ladakh as he began a two-day visit to the region where a border clash last week left 20 Indian soldiers dead in the midst of a tense standoff with the Chinese troops. 

He also inspected the forward areas on Wednesday. A meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China Border Affairs is also scheduled. 

This meeting will be led by the diplomats of foreign ministries drawn from both the countries for maintaining peace and order along the borders.

A day after an 11-hour border meeting between senior military commanders of India and China, Beijing welcomed an agreement to cool down the situation. It said it would continue holding talks “for peace and tranquillity” along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). 

The Army Chief has also interacted with Ladakh MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, during his visit where the Northern Army Commander and Leh Corps Commander were also present.

He even visited an Army Hospital and interacted with the valiant soldiers who were injured in the Galwan valley on June 15 and are undergoing treatment.

He is learnt to have directed the commanders to keep a high level of alertness to deal with any Chinese misadventure.

That apart, he commanded the troops for their high morale and exhorted them to continue working with zeal and enthusiasm. Amid the simmering tension, India is exploring all possible military options as a response if the Chinese aggression continues.

India has also ramped up preparations on its side along the 826 km front of the LAC in Ladakh. The Army commanders have come together to discuss the whole gamut of India’s operational situation on both the Northern and Western fronts.