'We want to return to pre-2020 position': Army chief on India-China LAC agreement

Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi

A day after the Ministry of External Affairs announced a big breakthrough in the LAC thaw between India and China, Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday said that India wants to return to the pre-April 2020 status quo that prevailed in the LAC. "Once we go back to pre-2020 situation, we will begin the disengagement process," added the Army chief.

On Monday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced that India and China will arrive on a patrolling arrangement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Himalayas, leading to disengagement and resolution of tension that began with skirmishes in May 2020. It is understood that the agreement pertains to patrolling in Depsang and Demchok areas.

As of now, what has happened, we are trying to restore the trust. How the trust will get restored... it will get restored once we are able to see each other and we are able to convince each other... 'look the buffer zones which have been created we are not creep in... and both have to reassure each other. Patrolling gives you that kind of advantage. So, that's what is something which is commencing and as we restore the trust, the other stages will also follow through soon," said Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi.

Speaking to the media in early October, General Dwivedi observed that the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China is “stable” but “not normal”, adding that trust has been the “biggest” casualty. He also cautioned against Chinese “grey zone” warfare tactics.

Earlier this month, the Army chief had also said the two sides have resolved the "low-hanging fruits" and now need to address difficult situations, adding there was "positive signalling" from the diplomatic side and execution on the ground was dependent on military commanders of the two countries.

The last meeting of the working mechanism for consultation and coordination on India-China border affairs was held on August 29 in Beijing. The two sides then had a frank, constructive and forward-looking exchange of views on the situation along the LAC to narrow down differences and find early resolution of outstanding issues.