AGENCY
NEW DELHI: India wants to have constructive engagement with China along the northern borders, Army Chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag said on Friday, holding that there has been significant improvement in understanding between the two countries on the boundary front.
Even though intrusions have taken place in the disputed areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), there has been a significant improvement in understanding between the two countries, he said, addressing the Army Day parade here.
“India wants to have constructive engagement with China along the northern borders,” Suhag said.
The Army Chief pitched for modernisation of weapons and equipment to counter different kinds of challenges facing the force.
He complimented the soldiers for giving a befitting reply to the enemy at the Line of Control (LOC) which has been “active” due to cross-border firing and continuous infiltration attempts.
Referring to modernisation, Suhag said that to counter different kinds of challenges and commitments, it is important to modernise weapons and equipment.
He said that he was happy that the government has sanctioned a number of modern weapons and equipment in the last one year.
The priority for the army was new artillery guns, upgradation of mechanised forces, enhancement of army aviation capabilities, he said, noting that better arms needed to be provided to the soldiers.
Suhag said the army has already started induction of weaponised version of Advanced Light Helicopter.
Earlier this week, Suhag had said acquisition of artillery guns, third generation missiles, upgrading armoured vehicles, augmenting army aviation and strengthening infantry were among “critical areas” for force modernisation which are being fast-tracked.
The Army chief said the force has nabbed a large number of terrorists in surgical operations and killed many of their key leaders, besides recovering large quantity of explosives.
He said this was being done while “maintaining the human rights standards”.
He said that despite the counter-infiltration and counter-terrorist operations, the Indian Army has taken care of its primary role and is always ready to face any challenge.
Suhag reviewed the Parade at Army Parade Ground, Delhi Cantonment and awarded 15 Sena Medals, five of them posthumously, for individual acts of Gallantry and 13 COAS Unit Citations for commendable performance of their respective units.
On the occasion of Army Day, an impressive parade was organised at Army Parade Ground, Delhi Cantonment, where Army contingents including seven Mechanised (T-90 Tank, BMP II, Brahmos Missile System, Akash Missile System, Smerch Multi Barrel Rocket Launchers, Troop Level Radar and Integrated Communication Electronic Warfare System) and nine marching contingents participated.
The marching contingents also included an Army Dog contingent wherein the canines and their trainers marched in unison past the saluting dais.
The Army Dogs are utilised for specialist jobs like explosive detection, tracking, guarding and assaulting.
Tableaux of Indian Army as also of the veterans depicted their role and contributions towards the nation.
Motorcycle display by the ‘Army Daredevils’ was the other attraction during the parade. The grand finale was a combat demonstration, which showcased battle drills and combat techniques of the Army units.
Combat actions included strafing runs depicted by the Rudra armed helicopter and special tactics for insertion and extraction of soldiers behind the enemy lines were depicted.
Earlier in the day, wreaths were laid at Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate by the three service chiefs to commemorate Army Day.
