Disengagement after situation returns to 2020 status: Army Chief Dwivedi

North News

New Delhi, October 22

India is pursuing disengagement and de-escalation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi said on Tuesday, emphasising a return to the status quo of 2020. In an interview with India Today, he highlighted the need to ensure that newly established buffer zones are not encroached upon.

His remarks follow the External Affairs Ministry’s announcement that India and China have reached an agreement to resume patrolling in disputed areas of eastern Ladakh, effectively ending a four-year military standoff. India has accused China of occupying around 1,000 square kilometers of Indian territory in Ladakh since May 2020.

“We want to go back to the status quo of April 2020. Then, we will be looking for disengagement and de-escalation. We are trying to restore trust by seeing each other,” General Dwivedi told the news outlet. He added, “As patrolling resumes, we will see the building of trust.”