More Doklam-like incidents possible in future, says Army Chief Bipin Rawat
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said on Saturday that China is trying to change the status quo on its border with India and there is a possibility of such incidents like the deadlock in the field of Dokalam region, it is likely to grow in the future. Rawat said, China is trying to change the status quo in the current deadlock in Dokalam, which we need to worry about and I think such incidents are likely to grow in the future.
He said that during the flag meeting with the Chinese army, the Indian Army used to keep saying that both the sides should return to the place before the deadlock before June 16, but there is no solution yet. He said, now it is happening at the diplomatic and political level because it needs to be resolved through diplomacy and political initiatives.
Army not being complacent
Rawat said that China’s armed forces have made significant progress in the ability to mobilize troops in Tibet, especially in the autonomous region of China, and to run the operations. Later clarifying his statement, Rawat said, “We should not be complacent. Let’s say that this stalemate has gone away but our army does not think that it can not happen again in any other sector. Thinking that this will not happen again, it is always better to be prepared and alert instead. My message to the army is that no one relaxes.
He said that China is constantly increasing its influence in regional security. He said that he is increasing defense and economic partnership especially in neighboring Pakistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which passes through Pakistan occupied Kashmir, challenges India’s sovereignty.
Denial of comment on priest
Rawat criticized Pakistan for launching a proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir and said that it is a matter of grave concern to increase the presence of people who are involved in militant acts in Pakistan with other radical ideologies. The Army Chief refused to comment on Lt Col Purohit saying that this matter is under consideration of the court. The priest has recently got bail in the 2008 Malegaon blast case.
