Chinese wargaming near LAC has increased, but so has India's surveillance: Army

Amidst the India-China border standoff in the Ladakh region for the last 18 months, the Chinese People's Liberation Army has increased the scale and duration of the exercises in their depth areas this year.

Talking to media persons, Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Manoj Pande said, "The Chinese have been exercising in their traditional areas annually, but this year we have noticed they have increased their scale of wargaming. They have also increased their duration of exercises."

Eastern Command of the Indian Army looks after the 1346-km border that India and China share from Sikkim to the entire Arunachal Pradesh. Sharing details about the exercises being undertaken by China's PLA along the LAC, he said, "There are some issues that I would want to highlight here. Firstly, the annual training exercises the PLA carries out. There has been some increase in the activities but in their depth areas. Secondly, some of the reserve formations of the PLA, which were mobilised have continued to remain in their training areas that again is in the operation depth."

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On dealing with China’s PLA along the border, he said, "Our strategic guidance in terms of dealing with the situation on the LAC is to respect the mutually agreed protocols and agreements. And that has been our effort, notwithstanding what has been the action or response from the other side. Consequent to what happened and what we need to do in the future is something I reckon is being looked at the larger level."

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On creating infrastructure in the sensitive areas, he said, "If there is any infrastructure development that happens in sensitive areas and areas of different perceptions. That is something which we bring to the notice of the other side and we convey our concerns and sensitivity in an appropriate manner. If required, we lodge a protest. There are different types of mechanisms. But in terms of each other's attempt to increase the forward connectivity to the LAC that, I would say, is an ongoing activity or an ongoing exercise."

Speaking on the level of the Indian Army's operational preparedness, he said that a number of measures have been carried out. "We are enhancing surveillance close to LAC and depth areas from strategic satellite level to the tactical level. Introduction of technology has remained one of our key areas and a number of steps taken towards it. We are also looking at maximizing our resources using technology. We have inducted surveillance drones and radars, communication systems and better night vision ability."

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