Army commanders to discuss Doklam, China & Pakistan

NEW DELHI: The recently ended Doklam standoff and the continuing presence of Chinese soldiers near the confrontation site, besides other operational issues and challenges regarding Pakistan and China are likely to be discussed at the Army commanders’ conference starting Monday. The conference will also deliberate on ways to enhance operational preparedness to meet any challenges posed by two neighbours.

The conference being conducted from October 9-15 is an important event in the planning and execution of key decisions for India’s security and strategic interests. It is held every year in April and October and will be Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s first such event, where she will address the top brass of the army, including Army Chief General Bipin Rawat and the Army commanders.

“In the first and plenary segment scheduled from October 9 to 12, the Army Commanders are expected to discuss current and emerging perspectives on issues related to operations, logistics, administration, human resource management and welfare of troops,” said a senior government official.


The official added that this time there is a change in the conduct of the conference, as each Army Command will raise their views and concerns on different issues, which have a bearing on the field formations. In relation, there is likely to be discussions on the 73-day long standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in Doklam.

Clarify on China’s Road Expansion: Rahul to PM
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has said that once Prime Minister Narendra Modi was “done with chest thumping,” he must explain reports about road construction activity by China in the Doklam plateau. “Modiji, once you're done thumping your chest, could you please explain this?” Gandhi tweeted, tagging a news report headlined, “With 500 Soldiers On Guard, China Expands Road In Doklam.”

Gandhi’s swipe at Modi came a day after news reports said that China maintained a sizeable presence of troops near the site of the Doklam standoff with India and had started widening a road, around 12 km from the area of conflict. Indian and Chinese troops were locked in a 73-day standoff at the tri-junction fromJune 16after the Chinese tried to build a road inside Bhutan there.