Will give highest priority to Capacity Building & countering challenges: new

New Delhi: General Manoj Pande has taken over as the new Chief of Army Staff. The term of General Manoj Mukund Naravane as Chief of Army Staff ended on 30th April and General Manoj Pande has become the 29th Chief of Army Staff of India. While addressing the media after assuming the new responsibility on Sunday, General Pande announced that the highest priority would be to acquire capabilities to accomplish any mission on every level. At the same time, the new Army Chief warned that no one would be allowed to change the status quo on the Pakistan and China borders.

General Pande emphasised that the highest priority was developing the capabilities to counter current and future challenges posed to the security to the highest level. The new Army Chief also pointed out that the coordination between the Army, navy and air force will be vital, considering the current geopolitical developments and challenges. General Manoj Pande also indicated expediting the process of reforms being implemented in the Army.

The Army chief claimed that developing new capabilities with the induction of new technologies in the Army will be prioritised. The goal will be to make the coordination and cooperation more comprehensive between the defence forces. General Pande added that the dialogue process with the Navy and Airforce would be made more extensive. The Army Chief also assured that the programs started by the previous army chief would be taken forward with more zest. The Army Chief said that the welfare programs started for the soldiers would be given importance.

The Army Chief prayed that may God bestow the strength to discharge this responsibility. Before taking over as the Army Chief, General Pande was in charge of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. He had efficiently handled the security of LAC in the Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh sectors. While tension was reigning on the LAC in Ladakh, the Chinese military attempted intrusion through the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh. But the efforts of the Chinese Army were thwarted due to the alertness of the Indian Army.

Army chief General Pande delivered a message to the neighbouring countries that no one would be allowed to change the situation on the China and Pakistan borders. General Pande also said that the objective of the Indian Army is to reduce the tension on the LAC in Ladakh and revert the situation similar to earlier times.

While speaking about the LOC with Pakistan, General Pande expressed satisfaction saying that the tensions have reduced at the LOC. But the Army Chief pointed out that the terrorist networks and training camps built by Pakistan have still not been closed down. General Pande noted that there has been an increase in the terrorist activity on the LOC in the current times.

The Army Chief seems to have reprimanded Pakistan with these statements. Former Army Chief General Naravane had lambasted Pakistan in a similar language earlier as well. General Naravane also had warned that if attempts are made of intrusion and saboteur activities by the terrorist organisations from Pakistan, the Indian Army will not hesitate to enter Pakistan to take action. The new Army Chief also has pointed out to the Pakistan military and the chieftains of terrorists that the Indian Army closely monitors activities on the Pakistan border.