Soldiers gave India a strategic advantage after Galwan, says Rajnath Singh

Complimenting the Army for bravery of soldiers who gave India a strategic advantage on the China border after the Galwan clash, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that one can be cautiously optimistic about ongoing peace talks but the ground situation has to change to move ahead.

Speaking to top Army commanders at the first ever conference of this kind in the border state of Sikkim, the minister said that ongoing talks for a peaceful resolution will continue at all levels and expressed his confidence in the armed forces being able to deal with any contingency.

Sources said that the minister referred to the bravery of soldiers in Galwan, as well as past historic clashes with China on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and said that a strategic advantage has been gained by the Army's actions.


Even as forward deployments on the Ladakh border are set to enter their fifth year, peace talks with China on the diplomatic front have progressed in recent months. However, the Army has taken a position that facts on the ground need to change before there can be any de-escalation. This, sources said, was reflected by Singh in his address as well.

They added that the minister asked the Army to be ready for reforms - both structural and procedural to keep up with the changing battlefield. In particular, the minister asked the Army to be ready for all kinds of warfare and be prepared even for 'analogous warfare in a digital age'.

The minister addressed the Army Commanders Conference from the Sukna military area as his flight to Gangtok was postponed due to bad weather. Rajnath is now expected to reach Gangtok on Saturday and will spend Dusshera with forward deployed troops.

During the event, Indian Army's apex leadership comprehensively deliberated upon all aspects of existing security scenarios, situation along the borders and in the hinterland and challenges for the present security apparatus. The minister in particular complimented the efforts of Border Roads Organisation, which has led to the significant improvement of road connectivity.

He also made reference to the successful elections in J&K, saying that "synergised operations in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are contributing to increased stability and peace in the region".

As reported, the top leadership of the Indian Army is conducting biannual meeting that touches on operational issues, capacity building and human resources, in Sikkim for the first time, reflecting the reorientation towards the Eastern front.