'Military option available if talks & diplomacy fail with China,' says CDS Gen Bipin Rawat

Amid ongoing diplomatic-level talks with China, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat on Monday stated that military option to deal with transgressions by Chinese Army in Lakh was available but would be exercised if talks between two countries failed to come to fruition. " military option to deal with transgressions by Chinese Army in Lakh is on but it will be exercised only if talks at military and diplomatic level fail," said General Bipin Rawat. 

General Bipin Rawat's statement comes a day after India on Sunday rejected China's suggestion of "equidistant disengment" from Finger area in Lakh. As per news ncy ANI, Indian military commanders have told field commanders to be prepared for long haul and action on LAC at any time.

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India rejects China's 'equidistant Disengment' idea

'Fingers' refer to peaks which extend upto banks of Pangong Tso Lake - India claims patrolling rights from 'Finger 1' to 'Finger 8' while China claims from 'Finger 8' to 'Finger 4', as per reports. This also comes weeks after China pulled back People's Liberation Army from Finger 4 area and Patrol point 14 along LAC, following agreement between both countries for furring de-escalation, and disengment of troops.

Chief of Defence Staff also ded to his massive statement by saying that Defence minister Rajnath Singh and National Security visor Ajit Doval were constantly reviewing options pertaining to national security and for restoring status-quo in Lakh.

WMCC holds 18th meeting

Last week, Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) held its 18th meeting. Ministry of External Affairs revealed that Indian and Chinese delegation h an in-depth exchange of views on existing situation in border areas. Reaffirming agreements reached between respective Foreign Ministers and Special Representatives, both countries agreed to continue working towards complete disengment of troops.

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