Chinese troops enter Sikkim sector, destroyed two bunkers

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
08-October, 2017 16:29 IST
Defence Minister Reviews Operational Preparedness in The Northeast

Defence Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman, arrived at Tezpur today as part of her maiden visit to the Eastern Command as Defence Minister. The Minister who was accompanied by Vice Chief of the Army Staff Lt Gen Sarath Chand and GOC-in-C Eastern Command Lt Gen Abhay Krishna was received at Tezpur Airforce Station by GOC Gajraj Corps Lt Gen AS Bedi and other senior dignitaries of the Army and the Air Force. The visit which is part of her familiarisation with all the formations of the Indian Army & the Indian Air Force (IAF) comes close on the heels of her visit to Northern Command recently and her visit to Sikkim yesterday.

At the outset, the Defence Minister extended her good wishes to the Air Warriors on the occasion of 85th Air Force Day anniversary as she interacted with them at the strategically important Eastern airbase of Tezpur. She also reviewed the operational readiness of the airbase, seeing the Sukhoi fighter aircraft & other IAF assets at first-hand.

Thereafter, Smt Sitharaman visited the Gajraj Corps HQ where she was briefed by GOC Gajraj Corps Lt Gen AS Bedi on the overall security situation in Assam and the Kameng Sector of Arunachal Pradesh and the operational preparedness of the Corps. The Minister reiterated the Government’s resolve to give further impetus to development in the border areas.

The Defence Minister subsequently visited Solmara Military Station, Tezpur where she interacted with the officers & jawans over a cup of tea. She appreciated the high standards of military discipline and preparedness of the army men and their excellent performance in the difficult terrain and challenging environment in which they are operating. Smt Sitharaman further praised them for their steadfast commitment and their high morale in facing the diverse challenges thrown up by the dynamic security environment. She exhorted the troops to continue with the same zeal and sense of pride and honour showing due respect to Human Rights. She expressed satisfaction at the level of preparedness of the forces and extended her greetings to the troops for a happy Diwali before her departure for Delhi.

***
The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman being received by GOC Gajraj Corps, Lt. Gen. A.S. Bedi and other senior dignitaries of the Army and Air Force, on her maiden visit to Tezpur on October 08, 2017.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman interacting with the officers and jawans, during her visit to the Solmara Military Station, Tezpur on October 08, 2017.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman inside the cockpit of the state-of-the-art fighter aircraft Sukhoi 30 MKI, during her visit to the Air Force Station Tezpur on October 08, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

New Delhi , October 08, 2017 21:24 IST
Updated: October 08, 2017 21:31 IST
http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...in-nathu-la/article19824355.ece?homepage=true


Video of the Defence Minister having a light-hearted chat with PLA soldiers goes viral
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had a brief conversation with Chinese soldiers during her maiden visit to the Nathu La border post in Sikkim and was even seen teaching them how to say ‘Namaste’.

A short video of her interaction with the Chinese soldiers yesterday was posted on Sunday by the Defence Minister’s official Twitter handle, where she was seen in the clip greeting the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) personnel with a “namaste”.

“Do you know what ‘Namaste’ means?” Ms. Sitharaman was seen asking one of the PLA personnel who appeared confused and said “Namaste” while trying to explain the meaning.

At this point, some Indian soldiers tried to come to the assistance of their Chinese counterparts but Ms. Sitharaman asked them to let the PLA men find the meaning on their own.

After some time, one of the soldiers, with a smile on his face, said “Namaste means nice to meet you.”

Then Ms. Sitharaman asked “What would you say in Chinese?”

“Ni hao,” responded the Chinese soldiers, triggering laughter on both sides.

Earlier, one of the Chinese soldiers was seen introducing his commander to Ms. Sitharaman.

The video has gone viral on social media. Yesterday, Sitharaman had posted a photo of her waving at the Chinese troops.

“Acknowledged a row of Chinese soldiers from across the fence who were taking pictures on my reaching Nathu La,” she had tweeted.

The Defence Minister visited various forward areas along the India-China border yesterday in Sikkim including Nathu La, which is around 30 km from Doklam, the site of 73-day- long standoff between Indian and Chinese soldiers.

Her visit came amid reports that China has strengthened its military presence at the Doklam Plateau and even started widening an existing road which is at a distance of around 12 km from the area of the conflict.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/636912/china-urges-india-abide-historic.html

China today referred to the 1890 UK-China treaty which it claims demarcated the Sikkim sector of the Sino-Indian border as it urged New Delhi to abide by its provisions, a day after Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made her maiden visit to the Nathu La post.

Reacting to Sitharaman's visit to the area, the Chinese foreign ministry today said: "the Sikkim section of the China-India border has been demarcated by the historical boundary".

"It is the best testimony to this fact. We urge the Indian side to face the facts, abide by the provisions of the historic boundary treaty and the relevant agreement of the parties, and work together with the Chinese side to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas," it said in a written response to PTI, to a query about Sitharaman's visit.

The ministry did not directly name the 1890 Britain-China treaty which Beijing often referred to during the Dokalam standoff stating that it has defined the Sikkim section of the boundary with Tibet, therefore the border in that area has been settled.

Sitharaman yesterday visited the Nathu La area on the Sino-Indian border and interacted with Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police officials.

Nathu La is the last post separating the border between the Sikkim on the Indian side and Tibet on the Chinese side. Sitharaman's trip was the first high-level visit to the area after the 73-day standoff between Indian and Chinese troops at Dokalam in the Sikkim sector of the border which ended on August 28 following a mutual agreement between India and China.

Of the 3,488-km India-China border which stretches from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, a 220-km section falls in Sikkim. The two
sides have so far held 19 rounds of Special Representatives' talks to resolve the dispute.

The Dokalam standoff began on June 16 over the PLA's plans to build a road in the area claimed by Bhutan after which Indian troops intervened to stop the construction as it posed a security risk to the 'Chicken's Neck' - the narrow corridor connecting India with its northeastern states.

China, which earlier opened the Nathu La route for Indian pilgrims to visit Kailash and Manasarovar, closed it after the Dokalam standoff and is yet to reopen it.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
09-October, 2017 18:42 IST
Mos Defence Visits Shillong for Mudra Promotion Campaign and Review of HQ EAC OP Readiness

The Minister of State for Defence Dr Subhash Bhamre today made a one day visit to Shillong to promote the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojna and review the operational preparedness of HQ Eastern Air Command (HQ EAC).

The Minister after arriving at Shillong straight away headed to the U Soso Tham Auditorium, to be the Chief Guest at the “Mudra Promotion Campaign” conducted by the Government of Meghalaya and State Level Bankers Committee(SLBC). Minister for Taxation, Government of Meghalaya Shri Zenith Sangma was the Guest of Honour in the event.

Speaking at the function Dr Bhamre brought out the salient aspects of the Prime Ministers Mudra Yojna (PMMY) the flagship scheme of Indian Government, which aims to provide formal access of financial facilities to the small businesses thereby creating more self-employment opportunities. He flagged the fact that since the launch of the scheme on 08 April 2015, 9.13 crore loans have been sanctioned under PMMY. The total amount sanctioned is Rs. 3.96 lakh crore. Out of 9.13 crore loans, loans to women constitute 6.89 crore (76%), SC/ST/OBC constitute 5.07 crore (55%). With this, self-employment has been generated and some of the entrepreneurs have also created the job opportunities.

The Minister also said that the Government has launched National Digital Payment Mission (NDPM) to encourage digital payment. NPCI is assisting in this regard by way of providing the digital payments modes like UPI, USSD, IMPS, Aadhaar Pay and RuPay Debit Cards. Digital payment mode is very easy and safe. He exhorted all to adopt the digital payment method and asked all to unite and pledge to make India a digitally enabled society.

It is pertinent to note that the Government looks at the North East region of the country with its tremendous potential for growth and contribution towards the Act East initiative, ushering a new era of peace and prosperity for the region coupled with carving the rightful space for India as an economic super power.

Dr Bhamre also visited HQ EAC, Shillong and reviewed the operational readiness of the Command. Senior Air Staff Officer HQ EAC Air Marshall Rajesh Kumar received the Minister and gave him a detailed operational briefing on all aspects of Air Force preparedness in the Eastern Theatre.

The Minister also made a visit to various units and branches of HQ EAC, where he was briefed in detail with regard to the operational aspects and also the projects under planning and execution. He conveyed his satisfaction on the op readiness of the formation, appreciated the high level of Air Warriors morale and exhorted upon all ranks to continue the good work. He also reassured them that the Government stands behind them steadfastly in all their endeavours.

***

The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Subhash Ramrao Bhamre arrives at HQ Eastern Air Command, in Shillong on October 09, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-strong-hence-solved-doklam-rajnath/article19825017.ece

Home Minister Rajnath Singh said here on Sunday that India was no more a weak country but a strong one, which was in a position to resolve a contentious matter such as the Doklam standoff with China.

“India is no more a weak nation, but a strong country. You ought to know how India resolved the Dokalam issue with China, especially when most people across the globe were anticipating an India-China conflict,” he said. “If India was a weak country, it could not have been in a position to resolve the Dokalam issue with China.” “By sending terrorists to India, Pakistan has nefarious plans to divide and make our country weak,” he said.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world...-first-time/story-yLc9wwIvTkmvTXb9k9aq0M.html

China displays photo of newly inducted light battle tank for the first time

The light tank whose name and details are yet to be revealed was deployed for the first time into well publicised exercises of the army in June as part of the pressure tactics against India during the Doklam standoff.

world Updated: Oct 11, 2017 19:08 IST
Press Trust of India, Beijing

Chinese Type 99A tanks take part in a military parade at the Zhurihe training base in China's northern Inner Mongolia region on July 30, 2017. China held a parade of its armed forces on July 30 to mark the 90th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in a display of military might. (AFP)

China has inducted its much- publicised light battle tank, introduced in Tibet during the height of the Doklam standoff with India, and for the first time the Army displayed its photo at a military exhibition here, a media report said on Wednesday.

Developed by the China North Industries Group Corp, the country’s biggest maker of land armaments, the light tank, whose weight ranges from 25 to 35 metric tonnes, is equipped with a hydropneumatic suspension system that ensures good manoeuvrability and survivability in mountainous regions.

Its main weapon is a 105-mm gun that is able to fire both shells and guided missiles, according to weapons experts, who said the tank’s main task is to fight on plateaus even at very low temperatures.

By comparison, a main battle tank, such as the US’ M1 Abrams and China’s Type 99A, weighs up to 65 tonnes, state-run China Daily reported.

The light tank whose name and details are yet to be revealed was deployed for the first time into well publicised exercises of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in the Tibet plateau in June as part of the pressure tactics against India during the 73-day Doklam standoff which ended on August 28.

The 2.3-million-strong PLA has confirmed the deployment of a new light tank, which observers say will suit combat operations on plateaus, the Daily report quoted experts as saying.

Chinese military spokesman Colonel Wu Qian said the tank undertook trial on the Tibetan plateau and was also displayed at a military parade held on July 30.

A photo of the tank on snowy ground has been displayed at an exposition in the Beijing Exhibition Centre to showcase achievements made by China over the past five years, the Daily report said.

The caption accompanying the picture says it is a new type of light tank, without giving details. This is the first time the Chinese military has officially published a picture of the tank, it said.

Earlier, Chinese official media reports said a brigade of the PLA in Tibet had carried out an exercise involving a new type of 35 tonne light tank.

The new tank has higher barrel and better defence than the type 968 tank and claimed to be better than T-90 battle tank used by the Indian army, the report said.

Du Wenlong, an equipment researcher at the PLA Academy of Military Science, said the vehicle was designed to operate in China’s southern regions and on plateaus, which meant the Indian border along Tibet.

“The shortage of oxygen on plateaus means its engine must be very powerful and can work well with a limited amount of oxygen. Similarly, its power, fire control and ammunition systems must have been specially designed for high altitudes,” he said.

Ge Lide, a defence technology researcher at PLA National Defense University, told the Daily that while the tank falls into the light-duty category, its combat capability is strong, considering its firepower, mobility, defencive features and information capacity.

He said the tank would be capable of moving through many kinds of tough terrain and should be able to outperform all other PLA tanks and armoured vehicles off-road.

China developed the Type 62 light tank in the 1960s and had used it in its armoured forces in southern regions for more than 50 years until retiring them in 2013.

 

[mikkix]

China and India playing games with west and Pakistan. There will be no war between them until US attacked North Korea and in Response China enters into the war and destroys US and its allies.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...ofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

China's development of border areas helps it keep pushing into Indian territory where infrastructure is poor which becomes a handicap for Indian forces. China's salami slicing works due to lack of even basic roads in large parts of border areas in India.

China has assiduously built an extensive network of railway lines, highways, metal-top roads, air bases, radars, logistics hubs and other infrastructure in the entire Tibet Autonomous Region to sustain over 30 divisions (each with over 15,000 soldiers), including five to six "rapid reaction forces" there.

India has floundered in playing catch-up. Only 27 "strategic all-weather roads" (963-km) of the 73 (totalling (4,643-km) identified for construction along the LAC over 15 years ago, for instance, have been completed till now. Moreover, the long-proposed construction of 14 "strategic railway lines" for the western and eastern fronts has not even kicked off till now.

Army chief General Bipin Rawat had recently pointed out China's strategy of gradually taking over Indian territory: "As far as the northern adversary (China) is concerned, the flexing of muscles has started... Salami slicing, taking over territory in a very gradual manner, testing our limits of threshold... is something we have to be wary about and remain prepared for situations that could develop into conflicts."

Adequate infrastructure in border areas will deter China from intruding into India and laying claims over disputed territories.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/637609/china-develops-laser-gun-counter.html

Press Trust of India, Beijing, Oct 13 2017, 14:23 IST

The laser gun can hit a target at a distance of 200 metres in one second. PTI file photo for representation.

China has developed a new laser gun capable of hitting the targets within 200 meters in one second for counter-terrorism operations, a media report said today.

The gun, which contains a handset for aiming and a back pack containing the power supply with a remote control and laser emitter, was exhibited recently at a counter-terrorism drill in Central China's Hunan Province.

Hongfeng, a company affiliated with China Aerospace Science & Industry Corporation (CASIC) exhibited the gun which shoots faster and more accurately compared with other types of weapons.

The gun makes no sound or light when fired, Yan Azhe, one of the engineers who developed the gun, told the Global Times.

It is also easy to operate because it does not recoil, and inexpensive to maintain, Yan said.

During the recent anti-terrorism drill in Hunan, a wide range of high-end anti-terror equipment were used, such as a glove made of a special material to prevent the user from being cut or stabbed by metallic objects; a multi-functional shield to confuse terrorists with laser and noise, and an electronic shock emitter, the report said.

The gun is considered to be handy for the Chinese security forces conducting counter-terrorism operations, especially in the Xinjiang province.

Xinjiang, home to over 10 million Uyghur Muslims, has been restive for the past several years following protests from the Uyghur community over the settlements of Hans from other province.

China blames the separatist East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) for numerous violent attacks in and outside Xinjiang.

As China braces to hold the 19th once-in-a-five-year congress of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) here next week, the country has stepped up security by installing security scanners for road security checks to enhance counter-terrorism efforts.

"China still faces the threat of terrorism, and we need to stay vigilant," said Li Wei, a counter-terrorism expert at the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations.

 

[Hindustani78]

Rajiv Gandhi’s meeting with Li Lianqing, China’s Ambassador to India in 1987, broke the ice in bilateral ties leading to his visit to Beijing, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 34 years.
india Updated: Oct 13, 2017 16:59 IST
Press Trust of India, Beijing

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...se-diplomat/story-JiQdkXFbI5jcNsE7c6pG0J.html


Former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi’s visit to China in 1988 was an “ice breaking” trip and played a very important role in resuming and developing friendship between the two countries, a former Chinese diplomat has said.

Zeng Xyyong, who worked as a councillor at the Chinese Embassy in Delhi, wrote in an article that Gandhi’s meeting with Li Lianqing, China’s Ambassador to India in 1987, broke the ice in bilateral ties leading to his visit to Beijing, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 34 years.

As a “new generational leader” Gandhi aspired to promote the rise of India by carrying out economic reforms but found that the environment hindered his objective, Zeng wrote in an article, providing a rare insight into Chinese assessment of what led Gandhi to visit China and his close door meetings with the top Chinese leaders, including Deng Xiaoping.

The article, part of a book titled ‘stories of China and India’, was circulated to the media ahead of the Congress of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) to be held here on October 18 in which Chinese President Xi Jinping was expected to get a second five-year term.

“Over all, Rajiv Gandhi visit to China was an ice breaking trip, very important in resuming and developing friendship between China and India,” he wrote in the article.

The book is a compilation of nostalgic accounts of former Chinese diplomats who served in India. Besides India, only two other books, one on Pakistan and the other on Nepal containing write-ups by Chinese diplomats, were displayed at the CPC media centre.

“India had a tense relationship with Pakistan for many years, it got involved in civil war in Sri Lanka in 1987. No substantial results had occurred in border negotiations with China,” Zeng said outlining his assessment of Gandhi’s decision to restore ties with China.

Zeng alleges that the longest standoff between the Indian and Chinese armies at Sumdorongchu in 1986 when the troops had an eyeball to eyeball stalemate, similar to one at to the recent Doklam, was “orchestrated” by India to “intensify military confrontation while setting up a border state of Arunachal Pradesh”.

“Tensions thus escalated further souring bilateral ties”, he said.

“This made Rajiv Gandhi feel uneasy. He was worried that if things continued like that, the opposition party would use against him in the next general election, threatening his continuation in office,” he said.

“Therefore, he began to consider adjusting his China policy” and sought a “private appointment” with the then Chinese Ambassador in Delhi Li Lianqing, Zeng said.

His observation about Sumdorongchu valley, which is located east of tri-junction with Bhutan and not far from Doklam, were interesting as for the official accounts of India it was sparked off by Chinese troops occupying an Indian patrol point, vacated during winter.

Indian army in a daring counter move placed the troops in dominating heights and set up posts closer to the Chinese positions.

China launched a media blitzkrieg similar to the one during Doklam where Indian troops intervened to stop Chinese from building a strategic road in area claimed by Bhutan, close to India’s Chicken Neck corridor connecting North East.

Status quo was restored in Sumdorongchu after about seven years of negotiations to stabilise the situation. The Dokalam standoff lasted 73 days.

The Indian counter move at Sumdorongchu was widely regarded as strengthening New Delhi’s stature ahead of Rajiv Gandhi’s visit to Beijing in December 1988 during which both the sides agreed to negotiate a boundary settlement and would maintain peace and tranquillity at the boundary.

In his article, Zeng also provided details of Gandhi’s talks with the then Chinese Premier Li Peng and top leader Deng Xiaoping who succeeded Mao Zedong.

Li told Gandhi that the border issue could be resolved with “mutual understanding and mutual accommodation”.

He also said that China had taken note of the position by the successive Indian governments that “Tibet is part of China: India doesn’t interfere in China’s domestic affairs.

“Tibetan separatists were not allowed to conduct anti- China activities in India. China highly appreciate India’s principled stand,” he said.

In his meeting with Gandhi, Deng said relationship between India and China had been “very good in the 1950s but turned sour for a long period after that”.

In an apparent reference to the 1962 war, Deng told Gandhi that “now was moment to forget those unpleasant things and look to the future”.

“Rajiv Gandhi agreed saying he hoped bilateral relations would be fully restored,” Zeng said.

Though Gandhi lost elections subsequently, successive Indian governments took more positive approach to improve ties with China, he said.

“The situation in the Sino-Indian border region was less tense. Sino-Indian relations were back on track”, he said.

Li who made a reciprocal trip to New Delhi in 1991 clarified during his talks with the then Indian Prime Minister, PV Narasimha Rao that “China would not get involved in any dispute between India and Pakistan hoping that the issues could be resolved in a reasonable manner through peaceful consultation”, Zeng wrote.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...ofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

The Army Commanders' Conference organised here from October 9 to 15 comes after a 75-day standoff between India and China in the Doklam Sector in Sikkim, which ended on August 28. (Representative image)

On boosting infrastructure along the borders, Singh said "four passes to Niti, Lipulekh, Thangla 1 and Tsangchokla have been decided to be connected by 2020 on priority." All these passes are along the Sino-India border in central sector.

He said a roadmap for intra sector connectivity within central sector and inter-sector connectivity with neigbhouring areas have been discussed.

The commanders also deliberated on the cadre review of Junior Commissioned Officers and other ranks (OR), which now stands approved, and implementation of the Shekatkar committee recommendation on carrying out reforms in the force.

The issue of employment of women officers in areas of specialisation that require continuity also figured.

In the next two days, the commanders will discuss a number of issues relating human resources which include promotion of eligible officers to the rank of Lieutenant General.

He said the Army has decided to modernise all military stations on par with the government's smart city project and initially, 58 stations have been identified for the project. The army has over 2,000 military stations across the country.

 

[Hindustani78]

The decisions were taken at the Army commanders conference in which Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat asked they be prepared for all eventualities at “all times” while defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasised the need to guard against “inimical forces”.
india Updated: Oct 13, 2017 20:15 IST
Press Trust of India, New Delhi

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...m-stand-off/story-71jab8XMiEZd8QCTXd5EAL.html


Close on the heels of the Dokalam standoff, organisational changes are likely in some of the key Army formations besides steps to boost infrastructure along the nearly 4,000 km-long Sino-India border including around the areas of dispute.

The decisions were taken at the Army’s commanders conference which extensively deliberated on the Dokalam face off with China besides analysing all possible security challenges on the northern border, official sources said.

In his address at the week-long conference that began in New Delhi on Monday, Chief of Army Staff Gen Bipin Rawat asked the commanders to be prepared for all eventualities at “all times” while defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasised the need to guard against “inimical forces”.

Director general staff duties Lt. Gen. Vijay Singh, briefing on the outcome of the conclave which was also attended by top defence ministry officials, said it was decided that there would be considerable “heft” towards road construction activities in the northern sector.

He said the issue of organisational changes of some of the formations for capability enhancement was examined, adding it was decided to grant additional funds to Border Roads Organisation, a defence ministry entity, for development of roads and other infrastructure.

 

[Hindustani78]

***********
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...ofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

NEW DELHI: Amid reports that Chinese troops remain stationed in the Doklam region — though away from the site of the showdown with India — Bhutan has again discussed the situation with the Chinese mission here in the context of its border dispute with China.

Diplomatic sources here said Bhutan's ambassador to India Vetsop Namgyel met Luo Zhaohui, his Chinese counterpart here, on September 27 to discuss the issue of Chinese activities in the Doklam region.

The meeting took place at the Chinese embassy around 4 pm. This was exactly a month after India and China announced disengagement of their troops from the eyeball-to-eyeball standoff on the Doklam plateau which, as both New Delhi and Thimpu believe, is located in Bhutan but is claimed by China.

To be sure, the disengagement announced by India and China on August 28 still holds. As the MEA said in a statement earlier this month, there is no fresh activity at the face-off site and its vicinity and the status quo remains.

As pointed out in several media reports in the past couple of weeks though, Chinese troops remain stationed around 800-900 meters from the face-off site on the Doklam plateau even though Beijing has shifted road construction equipment from that site. Reports citing satellite imagery have stated that China is currently building a road network 10-12 km north of the standoff site.

Bhutan and China are also learnt to have discussed in the meeting the possibility of holding another round of their border talks soon.

With Beijing apparently looking to wean Bhutan away from India's sphere of influence, any move which Thimpu makes on the issue of the disputed Bhutan-China-India tri-junction is of immense significance to India. The Bhutan envoy's meeting with Luo coincided with reports that China remained active in the Doklam region, looking probably to improve its access from Yatung, where PLA has a base, to the territory which is disputed between China and Bhutan.

Bhutan authorities remained uncommunicative - after they issued a demarche to China in June - during the 74-day Sino-Indian standoff but after the disengagement was announced, Thimpu welcomed the development expressing hope that this would lead to "maintenance of peace and tranquility and status quo along the borders of Bhutan, China and India in keeping with the existing and agreements between the respective countries" .

This was significant for India as the statement seemed to acknowledge before China that India had a legitimate right to intervene if Beijing unilaterally sought to change the status quo in the disputed area of Doklam. In that context, the 2012 agreement between India and China that tri-junction could only be established by holding consultations with the third country is significant for both India and Bhutan.

A Global Times op-ed recently said that road construction in Doklam area was going to be "a new trend". While there's no reason for India to be alarmed yet as China has stopped construction on the road leading south, it is important for New Delhi that Bhutan stands its ground on its border dispute with Beijing in the region.

Chinese control of Doklam leading up to where Beijing believes the tri-junction is, Mount Gipmochi, will render India's Siliguri Corridor vulnerable but the government has to ensure that it works in absolute harmony with Bhutan. During the standoff, elements in Chinese media had sought to create an impression that Bhutan had been forced to take the position it had taken. This though, as Indian officials say, is not borne out by facts. Bhutan has never in the past accepted China's claim over Doklam and, in fact, raised the issue of its sovereignty over the area in each of the over 20 rounds of boundary talks it has had with China.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/...nirmala-sitharaman-bipin-rawat/1/1068618.html


A week after Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman conducted an aerial survey of the Doklam-Nathula area on the India-China border and following high level meeting of the armed forces officials, the Centre has laid down a plan to boost its security preparations along the nearly 4,000-km boundary.

The government has planned to make some organisational changes in some of the key army formations along the northern border and also to boost infrastructure to facilitate fast supply of armed forces and equipment of all kinds.

The focus area of the government is India-China border including the pockets of disputes between the two countries. The decision is seemed to have been taken in the wake of Doklam stand-off between Indian Army and the People's Liberation Army of China.

The decision to strengthen defence assets was taken at the conference of Army commanders in New Delhi. The conference held extensive deliberations on various aspects of the Doklam stand-off, which continued for over 70 days.

The Army commanders analysed the challenges posed by the Doklam stand-off and related possible threats to the security of the borders from Chinese side. Doklam stand-off raised suspicion that China might have some hidden goals in the region.

WHAT TO EXPECT NOW?

The commanders' conference decided that the administrative command of the Army should be reoriented to suit the present-day realities and to meet the challenges posed to the security concerns of the country.

The changes will focus on improving the administrative structure that looks after security in key regions of the India-China border. The detailed planned of the changes have not been made public for obvious reasons. But, the changes are expected to keep the armed forces better prepared to deal with another Doklam like situations, about which Army chief General Bipin Rawat had warned last month.

Giving details about the defence ministry's plans, Director General Staff Duties Lt General Vijay Singh said that there would be considerable "heft" towards road construction activities in the northern sector. He confirmed that the issue of organisational changes of some of the formations for capability enhancement was examined.

It was decided at the conference that additional funds would be granted to Border Roads Organisation for development of roads and other infrastructure. Capacity enhancement along the Sino-India border was a major focus area and the conclave decided to boost infrastructure along the entire stretch with China including around areas of dispute.

To boost infrastructure along the borders, "four passes to Niti, Lipulekh, Thangla 1 and Tsangchokla have been decided to be connected by 2020 on priority." All these passes are along the India-China border in central sector.

A roadmap for intra sector connectivity within central sector and inter-sector connectivity with neigbhouring areas was also discussed. The commanders also deliberated on the cadre review of Junior Commissioned Officers and other ranks (OR), which now stands approved, and implementation of the Shekatkar committee recommendation on carrying out reforms in the force.

WHAT ELSE WAS DECIDED?

The issue of employment of women officers in areas of specialisation that require continuity also figured. Implementation of cadre review of JCOs and 0R resulting in 1.45.5137 additional promotional vacancies will be the top priority of the Army.

The Army has decided to modernise all military stations on par with the government's smart city project and initially, 58 stations have been identified for the project. The army has over 2,000 military stations across the country.

During interactions with top officials of the defence ministry, the commanders discussed a host of issues like expediting acquisition projects, providing liberalised family pension to those other than battle causalities and matters relating to defence land.

The conference decided to seek necessary sanction from the government to allow the Army to carry out procurement under the existing system till Mar 31, 2018 when the Government eMarket system is likely to stabilise.

BIPIN RAWAT AND NIRMALA SITHARAMAN

At the week-long conference that began in New Delhi, Chief of Army Staff Gen Bipin Rawat told the commanders to be prepared for all eventualities at "all times".

Speaking at the conference, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, too, emphasised the need to guard against "inimical forces". Sitharaman lauded the Army for its swift and effective response in dealing with "external and internal threats". This remark was seen as a reference to the Army stopping the construction of a road in Dokalam by China and its anti-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

On the front of security challenges, the Army Chief Rawat seemed unhappy over delay in buying critical weapons for the force. He highlighted the need for according priority to procurement of arms and ammunitions. "Our approach to procurement process needs to be balanced with focus at the right places," General Rawat was quoted as saying by Singh.

On her part, Sitharaman said focus will be on ensuring capability enhancement and capacity building of the Army in a time-bound manner. She also emphasised the need for jointness and integration of all the services in effectively dealing with emerging challenges.

While General Rawat asserted that there would be no compromise with respect to issues relating to welfare of the armymen, Sitharaman said keeping up the morale of the armed forces personnel will remain a priority.

(With PTI inputs)

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/army-operational-div-for-hp-u-khand/481995.html

New Delhi, October 13

India is ‘sealing’ what it sees as vulnerable points across the Line of Actual Control, (LAC) with China. A new ‘Division-level’ operational formation of the Indian Army is coming up in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, along the frontier with China. It will comprise 15,000 troops.

The Army has set the target of completing the raising by the first half of 2019. The matter was discussed at the five-day Army Commanders’ conference which ended here today. Internal assessments show this part of the India-China LAC is most vulnerable and could be the next area of confrontation. The area, called the ‘central sector’ in military parlance, is the only portion of the LAC on which India and China have exchanged maps regarding border alignment, unlike the Western Sector that runs along Ladakh and Eastern Sector that runs from Sikkim to Arunachal Pradesh.

There are two disputed areas in the ‘central sector’ claimed both by India and China — Barahoti and Pulam Sumda. Both places have seen several transgressions by China’s People’s Liberation Army. Also, India is looking to greater connectivity between Himachal and Uttarakhand with a road via Lamkhanga and also Takling-La.

Within Uttarakhand, the Army is looking to connect roads across four passes — Niti, Lipulekh, Thang La and Tsangchok La — by 2020. Speeding road-building in the ‘central sector’ too was discussed by the Army Commanders. Sources said Bareilly-based 6 Mountain Div has been tasked to protect this sector. — TNS

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ut...of-protecting-nation-lt-gen-bhatt/481336.html


Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 12

Director General Military Operations Lt Gen Anil Kumar Bhatt said the Indian Army was fully capable of protecting the nation and giving a befitting reply to external aggressions. Gen Bhatt was in his hometown Mussoorie in Uttarakhand to participate in the annual day function of a boarding school.

He said the Army had the capability to accomplish any task assigned to it with full dedication and valour. He exhorted the youths to join the Indian army and feel for themselves a sense of patriotism. He said Army provided the young a platform to serve the nation and also an opportunity for immense adventure. He also asserted that he was proud to be part of the Indian Army.

However, when some reporters tried to put a query on the Doklam issue on the sidelines of the annual function, Lt Gen Bhatt refused to comment.