'Won't bind on us': Army chief rejects China's new border law

New Delhi, Jan 13: Ahead of India-China military meeting to resolve the standoff in eastern Ladakh, speaking on the China’s new border law, Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane said, "Any law, which is not binding on other countries and which is not legally tenable and is not in keeping with the agreements that we have had in the past, obviously can't be binding on us."

 

 

Speaking to the reporters ahead of Army Day on January 15, Army Chief Gen Naravane rejected China’s land boundary law that came into force on January 1, saying it was not legally binding on India. "This law will have no bearing on our bilateral relations and that we do not accept it as such," he said. "India and China have many other agreements and protocols which predate this new law that they have passed," he added.

 

The law, passed amid the standoff, stipulates that “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the People’s Republic of China are sacred and inviolable”. It has sparked concerns that it could have a bearing on the dispute along the Line of Actual Control.

 

 

Further, on the LAC front, he said there has been positive movement in terms of disengagement at some friction points along LAC in eastern Ladakh. "Along our northern borders, we have continued to maintain the highest levels of operational preparedness, while engaging in sustained dialogue with the PLA. We will continue to deal with the PLA in a firm, resolute and peaceful manner while ensuring sanctity of our claims. Necessary safeguards are in place," Gen Naravane said.

 

On the talks with China on Wednesday, Naravane said: “We are hopeful that we will be able to resolve the issues at PP15 (Hot Springs), which is the one which is pending as of now”. On the talks with China on Wednesday, Naravane said: “We are hopeful that we will be able to resolve the issues at PP15 (Hot Springs), which is the one which is pending as of now”.

 

During the press briefing, Gen Naravane informed on a range of issues including the Nagaland firing incident, the state of the borders with Pakistan and Myanmar, and the situation in J&K. He said the Court of Inquiry is expected to submit in a day or two its report into the December 4 Army operation in Nagaland that left seven civilians dead.

 

 

Terming the episode “highly regrettable”, he said: “Based on the findings of the inquiry, appropriate action will be taken. I would like to clarify that the law of the land is paramount, and we will always uphold that and will take action as required in upholding the law of the land.” He added, “Appropriate action will be taken and corrective measures instituted, based on the outcome of the investigation.”

 

Naravane said the Army would want to “progressively increase the number of Assam Rifles battalions for border guarding” of the boundary with Myanmar. He flagged an “increase in the concentration of terrorists in various launchpads” and “repeated attempts at infiltration” along LoC, despite a ceasefire with Pakistan.

 

 

He also spoke that the Indian Army is continuously making efforts to encourage women's empowerment. "In order to provide equal opportunities to women, the Indian Army has granted Permanent Commission (PC) to women officers, at par with their male counterparts", said Gen Naravane. With the grant of PC, women officers can aspire to achieve greater glory, and shoulder higher ranks and responsibility, he added.

 

 

He also informed that preparations are already underway at the National Defence Academy, to induct women cadets from June 2022.