‘Forces Will Take All Measures For Status Quo At LAC'— Lt Gen Yk Joshi, Northern Army Commander

Northern Army Commander doesn’t give a timeline but asserts that only complete disengagement by Chinese side will lead to border de-escalation

- Gaurav C Sawant

The Indian Armed Forces will take all measures to ensure restoration of status quo ante at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), said Northern Army Commander Lt Gen YK Joshi.

Speaking exclusively to India Today TV on the eve of the 21st anniversary of India’s victory over Pakistan in Kargil where he fought as a commanding officer, he said all measures are being taken to ensure the security of the LAC.

“We are presently engaged with the PLA in a military dialogue to resolve the situation. A process of disengagement has been initiated after four rounds of talks at the Corps Commander level and the same is happening and is being verified by commanders on the ground to ensure its veracity and correctness, he said. It is a complex and intricate process which needs diligent execution, he added.

The Army Commander, however, did not give a timeframe for the Chinese withdrawal and total restoration of status quo ante at the LAC.

“As far as timelines are concerned, it is a hypothetical question which would lead me to make conjectures. What I can tell you in simple words is that we shall continue all efforts to restore status quo ante at the LAC,” he said.

“I believe that the negotiations and the process of disengagement and commitment of both sides to adhere to the laid down methodology would dictate the timelines of this stand-off. Once we have been able to achieve complete disengagement, would we transcend to de-escalation which would be guided by principles of mutual and equal security. The Indian Armed Forces would take all measures to ensure the security of LAC, Lt Gen YK Joshi added..

EXCERPTS FROM THE INTERVIEW