"Situation in both Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh is stable now, but...": Lt General RP Kalita

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• Jan 27, 2023 | Dhupali Das

Lt General R Kalita said there are different perceptions about the Line of Actual Control (LAC) which lead to problems between Indian and Chinese armies...

Digital Desk: In the midst of India-China border tensions, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) Eastern Command Lt General RP Kalita stated on Friday that the situation in both Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh is stable but unpredictable due to the boundary issue.

The Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh sectors is handled by the Eastern Command.

"There are different notions regarding LAC, which leads to tension, but the situation in both Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh is stable now but unpredictable due to the lack of clarity of borders," GOC-in-C Eastern Command Kalita said at a press conference.

He added that India is constantly monitoring what is going on across the border and that we are ready to face any new challenges that may arise.

"Eastern Army is in charge of maintaining territorial integrity on eastern borders, and our troops and divisions have carried out this duty with the utmost professionalism and dedication. We are continuously evolving and aware of oncoming operational challenges," said GOC-in-C Eastern Command.

Earlier, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated in parliament that Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops attempted to cross the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Yangtse area of Tawang Sector in Arunachal Pradesh and unilaterally change the status quo, but were forced to retreat due to timely intervention by Indian military commanders.

Regarding the increased presence of Chinese troops along the India-China border, he stated, "We have learned that gradually there has been an increase in deployment of troops opposite our sectors, as well as infrastructure being carried out by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) across the lower boundaries."

The GOC-in-C of Eastern Command stated that it is difficult to estimate the exact number of Chinese soldiers stationed in these regions.

"However, we are constantly and closely monitoring changes in these areas," he added.

When asked about the precautions being taken to secure the Siliguri Corridor, Kalita said, "The Siliguri Corridor is extremely important to us from a geostrategic standpoint. To ensure that connection in the northeast is not disrupted, all of our safeguards are in place."

He added that the PLA had begun building infrastructure on its own region following the 2017 Doklam incident.

"On our side, infrastructural development has been carried out to ensure a better response from us if we are forced to do so," he added.

He stated that because Arunachal Pradesh consists of seven valleys, travel is extremely difficult and road construction is challenging.

When asked how he feels when the man in uniform is questioned about the operation and political leaders demand proof, he answered, "This is a national as well as a political matter, so I would not like to speak much, but those who raise questions should trust the Indian Army and their activities."

"The year gone by seen major shifts in geopolitical dynamics in the form of security and economic fallout from the Russia-Ukraine war, the gradual shift of power centre to the Indo-Pacific region that saw abrupt key developments in our neighbourhood," said the GOC Eastern Command.