We have leverage in future negotiations with Chinese: Indian Army chief

"We have leverage for negotiating favourable outcomes in future talks, but I would not like to mention those strategies," Indian Army chief General MM Naravane said.

Stating that the disengagement process in the eastern Ladakh with the Chinese troops is a 'win-win' situation for both sides but there is a long way to go before de-escalation of the standoff, Indian Army chief Gen MM Naravane said on Wednesday. 
 

In reply to a question during a webinar organised by Vivekananda International Foundation on 'Role of Indian Army in dealing with the contemporary national security challenge', Gen Naravane said, "For any agreement to last, both sides should feel they have achieved something. The talks have had a good outcome. Disengagement is a very good end result."

Speaking about the outstanding issues with China's People's Liberation Army, including Depsang, Hot-Springs and Gogra, the Army Chief said, "We have leverage for negotiating favourable outcomes in future talks, but I would not like to mention those strategies."
 

On February 11, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had announced in Parliament that once the disengagement process was completed in the Pangong Tso areas, the forces of two sides will discuss the outstanding issues, including Depsang, Hot-Springs and Gogra in the next round of military talks.

India and China held their 10th round of Corps Commanders-level meeting on February 20 to discuss the issues of disengagement and de-escalation from these friction points.
 

Talking about trust deficits with China's PLA, he said, "Until that trust deficit is removed, we will be wary about the developments there. But at the end of the day, we have achieved a lot."