The new Army Chief Lieutenant General MM Navarane on Wednesday said the Indian Army will continue to build capability in Northeast.
Gen Navarane, who took charge as the 28th Chief of Army Staff (COAS) on Tuesday, said the Army also needs to pay special attention to the China border.
“Our priority will be to be ready to meet any challenge and to be operationally prepared at all times. This will happen as a result of modernization,” said Gen Navarane.
“We will continue to build our capability especially in the North and Northeast region of our country,” he added.
Gen Navarane said the Indian Army should now look forward to paying more attention to tackling difficult challenges in the North and Northeastern parts of India, say media reports.
“We have been paying attention in the past to the Western front of the country. The Northern front also requires equal attention.”
“It is in that context we are going for capability development and enhancement of our capacitors in our Northern borders including North East part of the country,” the Army Chief said.
He also claimed that maintaining peace along the border will help in finding a way to solve the border dispute with China.
“We have been able to maintain peace and tranquillity along borders. By doing so, we will be able to set the stage for the eventual solution,” he said.
He said raising security awareness among ranks and file and paying special attention to respecting human rights will also be among his top priorities.
Gen Navarane said the three armed forces of the country – the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force – are always ready to perform their duty.
General Navarane has succeeded General Bipin Rawat, who has taken charge as India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) on Wednesday.