Dundigal (Telangana)

India is continuously evaluating threats from Pakistan and China, Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari said on Saturday.

In his address at the Combined Graduation Parade at the Air force Academy at Dundigal near Hyderabad, he also said that while that disengagement has taken place in certain areas in Ladakh but complete disengagement with Chinese troops has not yet been achieved.

"We are continuously evaluating threats from Pakistan and China and are very well aware of it. The stand-off with China does continue, disengagement has taken place in certain areas in Ladakh but complete disengagement has not taken place. The Air Force will continue to maintain deployment. We are prepared to take on any challenge that we may face in that area," Marshal Chaudhari said.

India and China held the 23rd meeting of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) in November.

The two sides discussed the situation in eastern Ladakh. "The two sides had candid and in-depth discussions on the situation along the LAC in Western Sector of India-China Border Areas and also reviewed the developments since the last meeting of the Senior Commanders of both sides which was held on October 10, 2021," the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

It said that the two sides recalled the agreement between the External Affairs Minister and the Foreign Minister of China during their meeting in September in Dushanbe that military and diplomatic officials of the two sides should continue their discussions to resolve the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh.

Marshal Chaudhari said the Air Force is on the cusp of transformation into a highly potent air force with many new acquisitions such as Rafale jets and a variety of sophisticated systems.

The IAF Chief lauded the cadets at the Combined Graduation Parade at Air Force Academy, Dundigal in Telangana, and said that the high standards displayed by them will form the basis of safe and effective operations in the future.

He said the Air Force needs young and dynamic officers to carry forward the armed force's rich legacy.

"The Air Force requires young and dynamic officers like you to carry forward their rich legacy. The same high standards that you've shown today, will form the basis of safe and effective operations in the future."

The Air Chief also expressed grief over the demise of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhjulika Rawat, and 12 armed forces personnel who lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu's Coonoor on December 8.