Chief of Defence Staff visits India-China border to review operational preparedness

Chief of the Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan visited the forward areas along the Indo-China boundary in the Middle Sector under Central Command of the Indian Army to review operational preparedness.
He was briefed about the prevailing security situation and the ground imperatives in the region, the Army said.
The CDS interacted with the troops deployed on the ground and appreciated their professionalism and dedication, and commended the inter-agency cooperation, it said in a statement.
Chauhan also planted a sapling in the area. The initiative, in stride with ongoing afforestation efforts undertaken by the IbexBde of Uttar Bharat Area of Indian Army, will go a long way in supporting the drive for ecological conservation in the Himalayan Ranges, the Army said.
Earlier in th day, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi warned against China’s “Grey Zone” tactics along the Line of Actual Control and warned that, despite the situation on the countries’ border remaining stable presently, it, however, was “not normal”.
While discussing the current situation along the northern borders, General Dwivedi emphasised that while diplomatic channels have shown encouraging signs, on-ground realities remain sensitive.
“China is creating artificial settlements to shift the status quo and establish grey zones. We are well-prepared for their settlements and infrastructure developments,” he warned.
On the Indian side, the Army Chief highlighted the significance of border model villages under the Vibrant Villages Programme, a key initiative to develop remote areas along the frontier.