Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday emphasised the need to rebuild trust between India and China following the recent border patrolling agreement.

Speaking at an event titled “Decade of Transformation: Indian Army in Stride with the Future” at the United Service Institution, Gen. Dwivedi made his first statement after the announcement of the India-China border patrolling agreement.

Gen Dwivedi stressed that restoring trust along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) would be a gradual process, to return to the April 2020 status quo. “We are working to rebuild trust, and restoring that trust will take time,” he added, highlighting the steps of disengagement, de-escalation, and buffer zone management as crucial for easing tensions between the two nations.

He further explained that the process will take place in phases, with each step aimed at reducing tensions. “This normal management of the LAC will not just stop there. There are phases in that as well,” he added.

Referring to the buffer zones created along the LAC, Gen Dwivedi underscored that trust between the two countries will be rebuilt through mutual understanding. “We are trying to restore the trust. How will the trust be restored? It will get restored once we can see each other and convince each other. And we need to reassure each other that we are not creeping into buffer zones that are created,” he said.

He also mentioned that ongoing patrolling activities provide a chance for both sides to reassure one another. “Patrolling gives you that kind of advantage, and as trust is rebuilt, other stages will also follow through,” he noted.

In early May 2020, troops from China’s People’s Liberation Army and the Indian Army clashed at locations along the LAC, the disputed boundary between China and India. The situation escalated on June 15-16, 2020, resulting in casualties on both sides. (ANI)