Armed forces should be ready for uncertainties: Rajnath to top commanders

Amid a lingering border row in eastern Ladakh, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday addressed top commanders of the Army and expressed confidence in the force in dealing with "any contingency" even as he said the ongoing talks with China for a peaceful resolution "will continue at all levels".

The first phase of the second Army Commanders' Conference (ACC) of this year began in a forward area in Sikkim's Gangtok, a location that holds significance for the Indian Army given its proximity to the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

"War preparedness should be a continuous phenomenon and we should always be ready for unpredictables, for the uncertainties that may crop up any time. We should always be strengthening our fighting skills and weapons technologies so as to act effectively wherever called for," Singh said.

The nation is proud of its army and the government is committed to facilitating the force in their forward movement, "on the road to reforms and capability modernisation", he added.

During the event, the Indian Army's apex leadership comprehensively deliberated upon all aspects of existing security scenarios, situation along the borders and in the hinterland and challenges for the present security apparatus, the defence ministry said in a statement.

Singh was scheduled to address this gathering of commanders in person. But, due to bad weather at Gangtok, he addressed them via a weblink from an Army location at Sukhna.

Sources said he is likely to go to Gangtok from Darjeeling on Saturday morning.

Singh reasserted the faith of the entire nation in the Indian Army, as one of the most trusted and inspiring organisations in the country.

He highlighted the significant role being played by the Indian Army in "guarding our borders and fighting terrorism apart from providing assistance to the civil administration in every need of the hour".

On the current situation along the northern borders, the defence minister "expressed full confidence in the Army for any contingency", though the ongoing talks for peaceful resolution "will continue at all levels," the statement quoted the minister as saying.