• Talks will continue with China to resolve Ladakh conflict: Rajnath Singh

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    Talks will continue with China to resolve Ladakh conflict: Rajnath Singh
    The defence minister praised the Army leadership for effectively taking the nation's "defence and security"..............


    Digital desk: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated on Tuesday that although the military conflict between China and India is still going on in eastern Ladakh, the Indian troops are remaining "firm" and that the two sides will continue to negotiate a peaceful settlement, emphasizing that de-escalation and disengagement are the best course of action. During an address to the Army's top commanders, Singh reaffirmed the faith of the nation's more than a billion residents in the force, calling it one of the "most trusted and inspiring" organizations.

    The Army commanders deliberated extensively on growing national security challenges along the borders with China and Pakistan and ways to boost the force's overall combat capability.

    The defence minister praised the Army leadership for effectively taking the nation's "defence and security" vision to new heights and emphasized the vital role that the military plays in building national unity.

    Singh also praised the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in his speech, stating that the organization's work has resulted in a "quantum improvement" in road connectivity along the northern and western borders.

    On the current situation along the northern borders, the defence Minister expressed full confidence that while the troops are standing firm, the ongoing talks for peaceful resolution will continue, and disengagement and de-escalation are the way forward, the defence ministry said in a statement.

    Even though both sides have finished disengaging from several places after intensive military and diplomatic discussions, Indian and Chinese forces have been engaged in a standoff in several sensitive areas of eastern Ladakh for almost four years.

     Singh praised the Army's response to cross-border terrorism, mentioning the situation along Pakistan's borders, but added that the "adversary" is still waging a proxy war.

    The defence minister praised the "excellent synergy" that exists in combating the threat of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir between the Army, local police, and the Central Armed Police Forces. 

    Singh said, "The synergised operations in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are contributing to increased stability in the region and the same should continue."

    "The role of the Indian Army is very important in nation building as also in the overall national development", he added. The Minister of Defence also commended the Army's leadership for effectively advancing the nation's "defence and security" agenda to unprecedented levels. 

    Additionally, he praised the Army's strategy for introducing and assimilating cutting-edge technologies. Singh expressed gratitude to every courageous hero for giving their best to defend the nation. 

    An elite gathering known as the Army Commanders' Conference takes place every two years in April and October. The conference serves as an institutional forum for conceptual discussions that lead to the formulation of crucial Army policies. 

    The commanders held a thorough discussion on the state of the borders and hinterland, the challenges facing the current security apparatus, and all facets of the security scenarios that are in place. 

    Furthermore, the conference addressed topics related to organizational reorganization, transportation, management, human resources, indigenization and modernization, introduction of specialized technologies, and evaluation of the effects of various global conditions now in place.