Army Chief Says Border Situation With China Stable, Deployment Posture Maintained Along LAC

The situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China remains stable but sensitive, with both sides maintaining a strong deployment posture despite signs of easing tensions, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi said in an interview with NDTV. The remarks come as he prepares to retire on Tuesday, concluding his tenure as the Army’s top commander.

General Dwivedi said that while stability has improved along the northern border, it does not imply reduced vigilance. He emphasised that the Indian Army continues to maintain a robust operational posture to deter threats and respond to any contingencies. According to him, disengagement agreements and ongoing diplomatic engagement have contributed to reducing friction and improving ground-level stability in border areas.

He noted that renewed diplomatic and military dialogue over the past year has helped address routine border management issues and build a degree of mutual confidence between India and China. He also pointed to several confidence-building measures, including structured engagement mechanisms under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC), which is exploring boundary-related discussions and other cooperative frameworks.

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The Army Chief highlighted that more than 1,100 ground-level interactions take place annually between Indian and Chinese personnel. These include hotlines, flag meetings, and commander-level talks designed to resolve local issues and prevent escalation. He said such mechanisms have played an important role in maintaining communication and managing tensions along the contested border.

Despite these developments, General Dwivedi stressed that the Indian Army remains fully prepared across all operational scenarios. He said infrastructure development, surveillance enhancement, logistics strengthening, and mobility improvements along the northern borders remain key priorities. He reiterated that stability does not equate to complacency, and that preparedness is being continuously upgraded.

Addressing broader strategic concerns, he also referred to security challenges arising from developments in Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, stating that the region remains central to India’s security considerations. Meanwhile, recent diplomatic engagements between India and China, including meetings under the WMCC framework, have been described by the Ministry of External Affairs as constructive, with both sides acknowledging progress in maintaining peace and tranquillity along the border areas.

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