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Operational Preparedness

Northern Borders. As part of diplomatic and military efforts concerning ongoing standoff along the LAC, 20 rounds of Corps Commander Level Meetings and 14 related Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) meetings were held with the Chinese.  Both sides agreed to maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations through the relevant military and diplomatic mechanisms. Indian Army has exercised the established border mechanisms to maintain peace and tranquillity along the LAC in all sectors.

LoC & Counter-Terrorist Ops. After the understanding of February 2021, between the Directorate Generals Military Operation of India and Pakistan, the situation along the Line of Control improved significantly compared to pre-understanding violence levels. Relentless operations conducted in synergy with other agencies resulted in successful and incident-free conduct of international and national level events such as G-20 meetings and Amarnath Yatra with 4.45 Lakh yatris visiting the shrine. Synergised counter-terrorist operations also resulted in elimination of 34 terrorists and apprehension of four terrorists in the hinterland. 18 infiltration bids were eliminated on LC in which 36 terrorists were killed besides recovery of large war-like stores.

North East. The balanced posture of firm and compassionate outlook by the Indian Army & Assam Rifles in militancy affected North Eastern part of the country is evident through both tangible & intangible outcomes. This is reflected by results in operations against militant groups, mainstreaming of militants and the critical decision of the Government of India to reduce areas under Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA-1958). Since 1 January 2023, synergised efforts by Army, Assam Rifles and State Police resulted in neutralisation of three cadres, apprehension of 233 cadres, surrender by 186 cadres of various militant groups and recovery of 271 weapons of different types. Security Forces also continued with the earnest endeavour to reduce the drug menace in the region. Indian Army along with Assam Rifles, Police & Civil administration, successfully recovered narcotics & contraband worth Rs 1,567.55 crore during the year in the hinterland as well as India-Myanmar Border.

Manipur. Indian Army and Assam Rifles have played a key role in controlling the internal security situation in Manipur and saving precious lives, property and evacuating approximately 35,000 internally displaced population to safety. Security Forces have been assisting the civil administration and other security agencies with a neutral and transparent approach to restore peace and normalcy in the State.

ALSO READ: JOINT OPERATIONS – Tri-Services Joint Exercise AMPHEX 2021

Year of Transformation

2023 was the Year of Transformation for the Indian Army. The process of transformation hinges on the five pillars- ‘Force Structuring & Optimisation’, ‘Modernisation & Technology Infusion’, ‘Systems, Processes & Functions’, ‘Human Resource Management’ and ‘Jointness & Integration’.

Force Restructuring & Optimisation. Efforts towards jointness and integration preceding Theaterisation are being made with renewed impetus.

Reorganisation of Early Warfare (EW) and Electronic Intelligence units under EW Brigades has been formalised. Raising of additional EW Battalions is under progress.

Reorganisation of Surveillance and Target Acquisition (SATA) units is underway.

Outsourcing of Non-Core Services is under progress to realign combat manpower for core tasks.

Modernisation & Technology Infusion. A roadmap has been put in place for Upgrades, New Acquisitions & infusion of Niche technology. The right balance between ‘Conventional’ and ‘New’ capabilities is being maintained. A focussed approach is being followed to ensure timely & pragmatic trials.

Conclusion of 85 Capital Contracts. A total of 85 Capital Contracts worth Rs 12,343 crore have been concluded in current Financial Year. This will boost the Capability of Indian Army in the domain of mobilisation, firepower, communication/non communication, Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) & Drone/Counter-Drone Systems.

Induction of Niche Technology through iDEX. Four Projects worth Rs 70 crore have been contracted this year, thereby paving the way for the induction of Niche Tech in communication, ISR & stealth Technology. It is also a step towards providing impetus in developments favourable to defence eco system.

Exploiting 5G/6G and Artificial Intelligence. Indian Army has collaborated with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to develop advanced electronics and infrastructure, aligning with Digital India and Make in India initiatives. 5G laboratories have been established at various locations including Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE). In addition, Military grade 5G and 6G laboratories are being established at various locations. MCTE has been developed as a key Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence.

Emergency Procurements. The EP were utilised to augment capability along the Northern and Western Front besides catering for training aggregates. The equipment procured under the EP are being fully exploited by field formations to refine their operational philosophy, TTPs and maintenance support requirements. In Financial Years 2020-22, 68 projects, worth Rs 6,592 crore were procured while 73 projects, worth Rs 11,000 crore have been procured in the Financial Years 2022-24.

System, Processes & Functions. The following has been achieved under the pillar of System, Processes & Functions:

Right-sizing and Ease of Doing Business. Digital initiatives have been undertaken in a major way to effect improved efficiencies in domains of Operational Enablement.

National Logistics Policy & PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. The Indian Army has been an important partner in the Prime Minister Gati Shakti National Master Plan and formulation of NLP. Efforts have been made to align initiatives undertaken by the Indian Army to the national vision. 180 Officers have been trained on Integrated Government Online Training (iGOT) Karmayogi platform and additional training with BISAG-N is being planned. A Tri- Services Geographic Information System (GIS)-based Infrastructure Portal akin to PM Gati Shakti is being created under the aegis of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff.

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Make Scheme

IN is pursuing a total of 38 Make projects under Chapter III of DAP 2020. Presently, 26 projects are being steered under Make-II category, 10 projects under Make I category and two projects under Make III Category. In addition, Eight Make II joint projects are being steered with IA and IAF as lead services. Under Make II, AoN has been accorded for 12 projects. Prototype development contracts have been concluded for nine projects (for a cost of Rs 400.84 Cr) and 03 project are at EoI stage. Remaining 14 projects are under various stages of feasibility study/ AIP stage. Under Make I, AoN has been accorded for 02 projects, remaining 08 projects are under various stages of feasibility study/ AIP stage. Under Make III, there are two projects and presently both are at feasibility study stage.

Technology Development Fund

In order to introduce cutting edge technology on board IN platforms, 25 projects are being pursued under the ‘Technology Development Fund’ scheme. Contract has been concluded for 10 projects at a cost of Rs 34.92 Cr. One project is at CNC stage, EOI evaluation is in progress for eight projects, and six projects are at pre-AoN stage.

Joint iDEX Challenges

Exchange of various iDEX proposals by both India and US startups under ‘India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X)’ initiative was commenced in July 2023. Two proposals pertaining to maritime domain were launched by   Raksha Mantri in presence of US Ambassador to India Mr Eric Garcetti during the NIIO Seminar.

iDEX Scheme: IN is progressing 41 problem statements under Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC) and Open Challenge (OC) categories through 59 startups.

Induction of Niche Technologies

A wide range of niche technologies are being inducted to enhance long range precision attack capabilities. Loitering Munitions in land and sea based versions are being inducted to enhance the targeting capabilities. Additionally, containerised missile systems are being inducted to enhance the operational capability and to augment flexibility in operations.

‘Swavlamban 2023’

Swavlamban 23 seminar was scheduled at Bharat Mandapa, Pragati Maidan from October 04 to 05, 2023.  Day 2 of the seminar focused on interactive session on indigenisation and armament. A dedicated interaction session was scheduled in Session II on the theme, ‘Discussion on Swavlamban 2.0 – Indian Navy’s Indigenisation Roadmap’. The target audience was primarily manufacturer/ import/ export/ service industry in Defence sector. Nearly 300 industry partners participated in the aforementioned session.

Indigenisation

Navy has transformed from a ‘Buyers Navy’ into a ‘Builders Navy’, with aircraft carrier, destroyers, stealth frigates, corvettes, submarines and other war vessels being constructed in our country. Today, of the 66 ships under construction 64 are being built in India. Further, AoN has been accorded for 24 ships and submarines that are all planned to be constructed in Indian Shipyards. At present, IN has achieved approximately 90% indigenisation in the Float segment, 60% in the Move segment, and 50% in the Fight segment. Indian Navy is committed to becoming a fully  Aatmanirbhar Navy by 2047. As on date, we are on track towards this goal, and 80% of the IN Capital Budget in CFY 2023-24 has been earmarked for domestic procurements in support of GoI vision of ‘ Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.

New Shipbuilding contracts in 2023

Five shipbuilding contracts at a total value of Rs 41,742.37 Cr have been concluded with Indian shipyards. Conclusion of five shipbuilding contracts within span of six months is testimony to the importance being accorded to the Indian Navy by the Govt of India. Construction of 25 ships will generate a total employment of 346.30 lakh man-days over the next one decade and engage numerous MSMEs in the shipbuilding activity.

Commissioning/ Delivery of Ships

The ships/submarines which have been commissioned this year, as also the status of shipbuilding projects underway are highlighted below:-

INS Vagir, fifth Submarine of Kalvari class, was commissioned on 23 January 2023.

Maldivian CG Ship Huravee, a Trinkat Class Fast Attack Craft was returned to India by Maldives post handing over INS Tarmugli to Govt. of Maldives in May 2023. The ship, post refit, was re-commissioned into Indian Navy as INS Tarmugli on 14 December 2023.

INS Imphal, the third Ship of Project-15B successfully completed her sea trials followed by Final machinery trials on 25 August 2023. The ship was delivered to the Indian Navy on 20 October 2023 by MDL, Mumbai. The ship is planned to be commissioned on 26 December 2023.

Sandhayak (Yard 3025), the first of the four Survey Vessel (Large) ships was delivered to Indian Navy by GRSE on 4 December 2023. The ship would be commissioned in January 2024.

The third GRSE ship of Project P17A Frigates, Vindhyagiri (Yard 3024), was launched on Aug 17, 2023 at GRSE, Kolkata

The fourth ship of Survey Vessel Large, i.e. Sanshodhak (Yard 3028) was launched on 13 June 2023 at L&T Kattupalli.

Two ASW Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) namely Androth (Yard 3035) and Anjadip (Yard 3030) were launched on 21 March and 13 June 2023 respectively at GRSE, Kolkata.  Three more ASW SWC namely Mahe (Yard 523), Malvan (Yard 524) and Magrol (Yard 525) were concurrently launched on 30 November 2023 at CSL, Kochi.

The last of the seven P17A ships, i.e. Mahendragiri (Yard 12654) was launched on 1 Sep 2023 at MDL, Mumbai.

1st Diving Support Craft A-20 (Yard-325) was launched on 31 August 2023 at Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd, Kolkata.

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According to a new railway plan revealed by the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) government, the rail line will operate near the line of actual control (LAC) and through the disputed Aksai Chin region.

Chinese activity near the LAC is a matter of concern for both India and Tibet.

On January 12, Army Chief General Manoj Pande said that there has been a ‘slight increase’ in the number of Chinese troops at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Aksai Chin (around 38,000 sq km area) was illegally occupied during the 1950s and consolidated its military grip over the area during the 1962 India-China war. The area remained a point of contention between the two countries.

Tibet’s ‘medium to long-term railway plan’ will help expand the TAR rail network to 4,000km by 2025 from the current 1,400km, the railway technology reported.

Tibet, however, claims itself to be independent of China. Recently, on February 13, the 13th Dalai Lama proclaimed that his country had been independent for over 100 years. This incident marked an end to the period of domination by China’s Qing (Manchu) dynasty. However, the period of self-rule and independence ended very soon for Tibet as in 1949 China unlawfully occupied Tibet.

Commemorating the 110th anniversary of Tibet’s Declaration of Independence on February 13, Tibet called for an independent fact-finding mission from the United Nations (UN). The request was to hold China accountable for the mistreatment of Tibet’s people and culture, reported Tibet Rights Collective (TRC).

The fact-finding and investigative missions from the UN must consider the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) harmful “environmental policies” in Tibet, and question CCP about the whereabouts of Tibet’s Panchen Lama, who was abducted in 1995.

As per the report by Railway Technology, the project will cover new routes that will continue up to China’s borders with India and Nepal.

Designed to start in Shigatse, Tibet, the proposed rail line will run northwest along the Nepal border before piercing north via Aksai Chin and ending at Hotan, Xinjiang.

Recently UN experts had also expressed how around a million children of the Tibetan minority were being affected by Chinese government policies aimed at assimilating Tibetan people culturally, religiously and linguistically through a residential school system.

The planned route will travel through Rutog and around Pangong Lake on the Chinese side of the LAC.

The first section from Shigatse to Pakhuktso is anticipated to be completed by 2025, while the remaining line section concluding at Hotan is expected to be completed by 2035.

A state media report citing the plan revealed by the TAR Development and Reform Commission stated: “By 2025, the construction of several railway projects, including the Ya’an-Nyingchi section of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway, the Shigatse-Pakhuktso section of the Xinjiang-Tibet Railway, and the Bomi-Ra’uk section of the Yunnan-Tibet Railway will all see significant progress.

“Improvements to the regional railway network will be of great significance in promoting socioeconomic development and safeguarding national security.”

Notably, Along the LAC in the Tawang Sector in Arunachal Pradesh there are areas of differing perception, wherein both sides patrol the area up to their claim lines. This has been the trend since 2006, the sources claimed. (ANI)

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The army will invoke the fast-track procedure under emergency procurement to buy the highly-mobile, multi-configurable, wheeled vehicles, the officials said.

The development comes amid the lingering standoff with the Chinese army along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Ladakh sector and tensions spilling over into the eastern sector too.

In a request for proposal (RFP) seeking the participation of prospective bidders, the army on January 2  said these vehicles should be helicopter transportable and be able to operate at an altitude of 16,000 feet. “Their ability to operate in snow-covered undulating terrain with long endurance makes them ideally suitable for last-mile delivery (LMD) tasks,” the RFP said.

The army plans to operate these vehicles in areas in temperatures ranging from minus 20 degrees to plus 45 degrees. An inbuilt cold engine start system is another key army requirement. Also, the engine power and operating range of these vehicles should not be less than 30 HP and 100 Km, respectively. These vehicles are expected to be deployed in Ladakh and the eastern sector too, the officials said.

The army is swiftly upgrading its capability along the border with China with a variety of weapons and systems including artillery guns, swarm drone systems that can carry out offensive missions in enemy territory, longer-range rockets, remotely piloted aerial systems and high-mobility protected vehicles, while also pursuing the development of light tanks for mountain warfare and futuristic infantry combat vehicles (FICVs).

The new logistics rough terrain vehicles should have a rollover protection system, and service life should be at least nine years or 80,000 km, the RFP said. It also details the product support, engineering support package, spares and training package for the operators. The vehicles have to be delivered within 12 months of the signing of the contract.

The army’s focus on building combat capability along the contested border with China is part of an overarching plan to steadily enhance its operational readiness to counter any challenge presented by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

The border standoff between India and China erupted in May 2020. While the two sides have had partial success in disengaging rival soldiers from some friction areas on LAC in Ladakh, talks are still on to end the deadlock that has derailed the bilateral relationship. Disengagement of soldiers from all friction points is essential before de-escalation of the conflict can take place, and, finally, de-induction of troops and weapons.

Corps commanders of the two armies held talks on the Chinese side of the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on December 20, just 11 days after several Indian and Chinese soldiers were injured in a clash along LAC at Yangtse, located near Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. However, there was no indication of forward movement in addressing the border row in the Ladakh sector during the 17th round of military talks.

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His comments come days after Indian and Chinese military commanders held a fresh round of talks on December 20 to resolve the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh – the first high-level talks after troops of the two sides clashed in Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh on December 9.

Addressing a symposium on the international situation and China’s foreign relations in 2022, Wang said: “China and India have maintained communication through the diplomatic and military-to-military channels, and both countries are committed to upholding stability in the border areas… We stand ready to work with India in the direction toward steady and sound growth of China-India relations.”

Wang, along with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, is the Special Representative of the India-China boundary mechanism which has remained dormant in the current standoff.

India and China have held 17 rounds of talks so far to resolve the standoff. A joint statement issued last Thursday after the 17th round, said the talks were “frank and in-depth” and “in line with the guidance provided by the leaders of the two countries to work for the resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest”.

 “In the interim, the two sides agreed to maintain the security and stability on the ground in the Western sector,” it said, referring to the eastern Ladakh region.

In September, Indian and Chinese troops disengaged in the Gogra-Hot Spring area, the last of the acknowledged “friction points” that were discussed over 16 rounds of Corps Commander level talks that began in June 2020, after Chinese incursions at several points weeks earlier.

Tensions in Ladakh continue over the presence of Chinese troops in Depsang, intrusions in Demchok and the rapid Chinese infrastructure build-up, including two bridges over Pangong Tso that will reduce Chinese mobilisation time on the lake’s southern bank.

Indian and Chinese troops clashed in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang sector in the early hours of December 9, assaulting each other with sticks and canes in their closest encounter since the deadly Galwan incident in eastern Ladakh in June 2020.

Asked whether the incident in Arunachal Pradesh was raised during the talks, the MEA spokesperson had refrained from giving a direct response. “We can all speculate but since I don’t have a confirmation, I am not going to be able to confirm that. We did talk about, to be honest, the Western sector. So if it has not been raised, I wouldn’t be surprised. Let me not make a comment either,” he had said.

 “We have been emphasising that our soldiers will stand firm to guard our frontiers. So I don’t want to say anything beyond that,” he had said.

In his lengthy address on China’s diplomatic work, Wang, who was elevated to the ruling Communist Party of China’s (CPC) political bureau during the recent party Congress, focused more on China’s troubled ties with the US and burgeoning relations with Russia, despite the Ukraine war.

“We have deepened good-neighbourliness, friendship and cooperation with Russia, and made China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination more mature and resilient,” Wang said. “Over the past year, China and Russia have firmly supported each other in upholding respective core interests, and our political and strategic mutual trust has been further consolidated,” he said.

Wang also spoke about China’s opposition to “bloc confrontation”. Beijing has always opposed the Quad grouping comprising the US, India, Australia and Japan, as well as the AUKUS alliance of the US, Australia, and the UK.

“We have continued to reject bloc confrontation and zero-sum competition, and maintained strategic stability in relations with other major countries,” Wang said.

He said the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) have projected a resounding voice for global equity and justice, and injected strong impetus into global economic recovery and development.

Wang also briefly touched on China’s ties with Pakistan, saying the two countries have “continued to firmly support each other, uphold the invaluable all-weather strategic partnership, and consolidate the iron-clad friendship”.

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The Army has just concluded adventure sports activities with civilians along the LAC in areas that were previously closed off to civilians. These activities were held from end of August to November, covering areas from Arunachal Pradesh to Sikkim.

From mountaineering and white-water expeditions to treks of more than 700 km, both civilians and groups from the local regions participated in the three-month-long activities, Army sources said.

Essentially, this marks an evolution of India’s philosophy towards the border regions and its management, especially at the LAC. From earlier being “inaccessible” to civilians, they are now slowly being open to the outside world.

These steps come even as the government focuses on checking the acute problem of border migration along the LAC by providing better infrastructure than before.

“Due to security concerns, traditionally we would never open these areas to civilians and tourists. However, it is important that now we are giving access,” Lt. Gen. Deependra Singh Hooda (retired), former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Army’s Northern Command.

The adventure activities also come after the government’s infrastructure push along the LAC in Arunachal and Sikkim, the decision to open up parts of Siachen glacier to tourists in 2019, and the Border Road Organisation’s plan to set up cafés for tourists at the frontiers in Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Nagaland amongst other border states.

“Looking at it holistically, this seems part of a deft strategy to stake India’s claim to border areas in a non-combative way and show presence,” said a defence analyst who didn’t want to be identified.

Expeditions and adventure trips not only increase knowledge about these places within the country, but they also increase cross-cultural contact and give strong proof of these parts being an integral part of India, the analyst added.

Sources explained that the Chinese started building villages along the LAC to establish and showcase the control over their side of the border or in territories held by them for years.

First of the initial tactics of the Chinese used to be to leave behind packets of chips, juices and even cigarettes in the Indian claimed areas of the LAC to establish their presence, they said. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) also used to paint rocks with their flag to showcase their presence.

Over time, the Indian Army started employing the same tactics and taking pictures and videos of their patrols which came handy during border meetings, the sources said.

Expeditions not new 

“While making the border areas accessible to tourists and civilians isn’t necessarily a new policy, it is now taking place on a larger scale due to better infrastructure,” Lt. Gen Shokin Chauhan (retired), former GoC 8 Mountain Division Ladakh and D-G Assam Rifles.

It will be correct to say that there is an additional focus on these activities, Hooda added.

The Army started treks for civilians in Siachen in the early 2000s besides some areas along the LAC. The idea was simple — to stake claim over the far-flung areas of the borders by having a presence. Especially given that they remain uninhabited for most of the year, Chauhan explained. “This is Indian land, and we must own it. No question of the Chinese taking it.”

These measures also come at a time when China has been building villages on the eastern side of the LAC across Arunachal Pradesh to lay claim to the territory.

“China’s building villages near LAC shows that it is essential to have the presence of your own citizens in these border areas to stake a claim,” said Lt. Gen. Hooda.

So, India carrying out mountaineering expeditions, enhancing tourist accessibility, and maintaining grazing grounds, all help to bolster its claim through civilian presence at the LAC, he explained.

Adventure tourism & employment opportunity 

Apart from the strategic purposes, the adventure activities organised by the Army are also significant for local economies, employment, and the adventure tourism sector.

“The campaign has generated a buzz in the adventure tourism circuit and has improved awareness about the potential of adventure tourism in the North-East,” an Army source said, adding that it also reflected positive “civil-military” relations during the three months at the LAC in the region.

Focus on adventure tourism can also boost employment opportunities and the economy in these regions, providing a sustainable model of development for the communities in the border regions.

Active participation and cooperation between states and the Army and the inclusivity shown in this initiative, wherein both men and women, local talent as well as enthusiasts from varied places took part, is a sign of the changing times and a bright future for the North-East, the sources added.

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The exercise called “Yudh Abhyas” is currently underway in Auli, Uttrakhand, about 100 km from the LAC. It is the 18th edition of the India-US joint Army exercise.

China, on 30 November, said it was opposed to the joint Indo-US military exercises asserting that it violates the spirit of the two border agreements signed between New Delhi and Beijing.

Brushing aside the objection, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said here these exercises going on with the US in Auli have nothing to do with the 1993 and 1996 agreements.

“Chinese side needs to reflect and think about its own breach of these agreements. India exercises with whomsoever it chooses and does not give a veto to third countries on this issue,” he asserted.

The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and share expertise between both armies in peacekeeping and disaster relief operations. The nearly two-week exercise began earlier this month.

“The joint military exercise between India and the US close to the LAC at the China-India border violates the spirit of the agreement between China and India in 1993 and 1996,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a media briefing in Beijing.

“It does not serve the mutual trust between China and India,” he said in response to a question posed by a correspondent from Pakistan. In August, the Chinese military expressed concern over the India-US military exercises.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s reference to the 1993 and 1996 agreements is interesting as India termed the PLA’s attempts to move a large number of troops to the disputed areas in the LAC in eastern Ladakh in May 2020 violated the bilateral agreements which state that the boundary question is resolved through peaceful and friendly consultations.

The military exercise is conducted annually between India and the US with the aim of exchanging best practices, tactics, techniques and procedures between the armies of the two nations.

“The 18th Edition of India-US Joint Exercise #YudhAbhyas commenced today at Foreign Training Node, Auli. The aim of Joint Exercise is to enhance interoperability & share expertise between both the Armies in Peace Keeping & Disaster Relief Operations. #IndianArmy #IndiaUSFriendship,” the Indian Army tweeted on November 19.

The previous edition of the exercise was conducted at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, Alaska, the US in October 2021, officials said.

The Ministry of Defence in New Delhi on November 15 had said that US Army soldiers of 2nd Brigade of the 11th Airborne Division and Indian Army soldiers from the Assam Regiment will participate in the exercise.

The joint exercise will also focus on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations. Troops from both nations will practice launching swift and coordinated relief efforts in the wake of any natural calamity, the ministry said.

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The overall situation in the area is under control but the actions of the Chinese drones had to be prevented to avoid any claims they make in future.

If the drones are flying parallel to the LAC, India, as per the agreements between the two sides, does not have any issues with them, but if they are picked up by radars flying towards Indian territory, it is necessary that actions are taken to prevent any violation.

The Indian Air Force has a strong presence in the northeast with squadrons of Su-30 fighter jets deployed at multiple locations, including in Tezpur and Chhabra in Assam. The Rafale combat jets have also been deployed very close to Hashimara in West Bengal.

The Indian Air Force has also strengthened its air defence coverage in the area with the operationalisation of the S-400 air defence system in the Assam sector. The system can take care of any aerial threat over the entire area.

The Chinese and Indian sides recently agreed on multiple measures to prevent any aerial escalations after the violation of air space by the Chinese in the Ladakh sector earlier this year.

After provocations by the Chinese in the area, India strongly took up the issue at military talks and it was decided that fighter aircraft of both sides would remain much behind the perceived Line of Actual Control in the area. The drones of the two sides, however, are allowed to fly in forward locations to keep watch over each other’s activities.

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Throughout its standoff with India along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Chinese officials sought to downplay the severity of the crisis, emphasising Beijing’s intent to preserve border stability and prevent the standoff from harming other areas of its bilateral relationship with India, the Pentagon said in a report on 29 November.

“The PRC (People’s Republic of China) seeks to prevent border tensions from causing India to partner more closely with the United States. PRC officials have warned U.S. officials to not interfere with the PRC’s relationship with India,” the Pentagon said in its latest report to the Congress on Chinese military buildup.

In a section on the China-India border, the Pentagon said throughout 2021, the PLA sustained the deployment of forces and continued infrastructure build up along the LAC. Negotiation made minimal progress as both sides resist losing perceived advantages on the border, it said.

Beginning in May 2020, Chinese and Indian forces faced off in clashes with rocks, batons, and clubs wrapped in barbed wire at multiple locations along the LAC. The resulting standoff triggered the buildup of forces on both sides of the border. “Each country demanded the withdrawal of the other’s forces and a return to pre-standoff conditions, but neither China nor India agreed on those conditions,” it said.

 “The PRC blamed the standoff on Indian infrastructure construction, which it perceived as encroaching on PRC territory, while India accused China of launching aggressive incursions into India’s territory,” it added.

Since the 2020 clash, the PLA has maintained continuous force presence and continued infrastructure build up along the LAC.

The 2020 Galwan Valley incident was the deadliest clash between the two nations in the past 46 years, the report said. On the June 15th, 2020, patrols violently clashed in Galwan Valley resulting in the death approximately twenty Indian soldiers and four PLA soldiers, according to PRC officials, it said.

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