India's Strategic Stance on China: Compete, Cooperate, Confront

Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi emphasizes India's strategic approach to China, highlighting the need to compete, cooperate, coexist, confront, and contest amidst ongoing border tensions. Talks between the nations have seen progress, but challenges remain. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reports significant disengagement advances in border dialogues.

Highlighting the intricate dynamics of tensions with China, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi stated that India must adopt a strategy encompassing competition, cooperation, coexistence, confrontation, and contestation. Dwivedi remarked, 'China has been intriguing our minds for quite some time. With China, you have to compete, cooperate, coexist, confront, and contest.'

He elaborated on the border scenario, stressing the abnormal yet stable nature of current relations: 'It's stable, but it's not normal and it's sensitive. We want the situation restored to the pre-April 2020 status, concerning ground occupation and buffer zones.' He affirmed the military's operational readiness, noting, 'Until that is achieved, the situation will remain sensitive, and we are fully operationally prepared for any contingency. Trust has become the biggest casualty.'

As for the progress of ongoing negotiations, Dwivedi revealed that approximately 17 Corps Commander-level talks have occurred since April. 'We have come a long way. In difficult situations, both sides need a win-win solution,' he concluded.

In September, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) updated on India-China relations, emphasizing ongoing dialogues and efforts to defuse tensions through WMCC meetings. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has consistently addressed the issue, highlighting transparency and regular updates on WMCC discussions.

Responding to inquiries about the disengagement progress, Jaiswal cited Jaishankar's recent remarks, asserting that '75 per cent of disengagement problems are resolved.' During his visit to Geneva, Jaishankar noted significant progress in sorting out disengagement issues.

India and China convened the 31st WMCC meeting in Beijing on August 29. Both sides agreed to jointly maintain peace and stability along the border, adhering to bilateral agreements. Following the aggressive attempts by Chinese troops to alter the LAC status quo in May 2020, which led to the Galwan clash, Indian forces have maintained a robust presence with over 50,000 soldiers stationed at forward posts.

(With inputs from agencies.)