Army Was Ready for Military Action in Ladakh, Says Former Chief Naravane
In a major revelation, former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane (retd) has stated the Indian Army was fully prepared for military action to push back Chinese aggression in eastern Ladakh in 2020. However, the political leadership opted for a diplomatic resolution.
Key Takeaways
- General Naravane’s memoir reveals the Army was ready to use force to evict Chinese troops in 2020.
- The political leadership directed the military not to escalate and to pursue dialogue instead.
- This insight comes amid an ongoing four-year standoff in eastern Ladakh.
Military Readiness vs. Political Directive
In his memoir ‘Four Stars of Destiny’, General Naravane details that the Army had mobilised forces and prepared a specific plan to evict Chinese troops from Indian territory. “We in the Army were quite clear that the only way to get the Chinese to vacate their aggression was through military action,” he wrote.
However, the government’s directive was clear: avoid escalation. “The political leadership was of the view that we should not escalate the situation and resolve the matter through dialogue,” the former Army Chief noted. The military was told to hold positions.
“We had mobilised our forces and were ready to take on the Chinese. But the political leadership wanted to give diplomacy a chance. We were told to hold our positions and not escalate the situation.”
Rare Insight into 2020 Decision-Making
The memoir provides a rare look into the civil-military dynamics during the crisis. It highlights a clear difference in approach between the military’s readiness for a kinetic response and the political choice for talks.
This revelation is particularly significant as the standoff in eastern Ladakh continues today, now in its fifth year. Despite multiple rounds of military and diplomatic talks, a final resolution remains elusive.
General Naravane’s account underscores the complex challenges India faces in managing border disputes with China, balancing robust military posture with diplomatic channels.
