Top Indian Army Commanders Conference to kick off with Pakistan in focus

*NEW DELHI- *Top Indian Army commanders will review the regional securityarchitecture and deliberate on key challenges facing the nation,particularly along the borders with China and Pakistan, at a six-day-longconference beginning in Delhi tomorrow.

Army officials said the conference, to be chaired by Army chief GeneralBipin Rawat, will also deliberate on “specific issues” relating to variousfrontline formations and explore ways to speed up infrastructuredevelopment along the border with China.

There will be detailed discussions about the situation along the borderswith China and Pakistan, they said.

“Important issues that are likely to be discussed are management of theextant security dynamics, mitigation of future security threats andenhancement of combat edge over potential adversaries,” Army PRO ColonelAman Anand said.

He said other issues like infrastructure development for capacityenhancement along the northern borders, review of strategic railway lines,optimisation of limited budget to ensure making up of critical deficiencyin ammunition.

Officials said a major focus of the conference will be to bolster theArmy’s overall operational preparedness along the nearly 4,000 km longborder with China.

Troops of India and China were locked in a Doklam standoff from June 16last year after the Indian side stopped building of a road in the disputedarea by the Chinese Army. The standoff ended on August 28.

Sources said India has deployed more troops and increased patrolling alongthe borders with China following the Doklam standoff.

Col Anand said issues relating to projects being implemented by the BorderRoad Organisation as well as matters relevant to welfare of troops will bediscussed in detail.

The Army Commanders’ Conference is held biannually for important policydecisions.

Officials said the conference will discuss the security situation in Jammuand Kashmir.

There will be subject-specific deliberations during the last three days ofthe conference which is also likely to discuss implementation of themodernisation process in the Army.