Agency(New Delhi):
In his memoir ‘Four Stars of Destiny,’ Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane, the 28th Chief of Army Staff, provides an in-depth account of the Indian Army’s response to Chinese aggression in Eastern Ladakh in 2020. He describes how the Indian Army challenged China’s ‘wolf-warrior diplomacy’ and ‘salami-slicing’ tactics, which had previously gone unopposed as China intimidated smaller neighboring countries.
Gen Naravane recounts the events leading up to and following the Galwan Valley clashes, marking a significant confrontation between India and China. The memoir details the night of June 16, a day of personal significance for Chinese President Xi Jinping, as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) experienced “fatal casualties” for the first time in decades during these clashes.
The General reflects on the broader implications of the confrontation, suggesting that the Indian Army’s stand against China signaled to the world that aggressive actions by a regional powerhouse would not go unchallenged. He recalls the loss of 20 Indian Army personnel during the Galwan Valley incident as one of the saddest days of his career.
During his tenure as Army Chief, Gen Naravane was instrumental in leading the Indian Army through this challenging period along the contested border and implemented long-term reform measures to enhance the force’s combat capabilities.
The book delves into the strategic and operational details of the standoff, including the Indian Army’s deployment of troops and their confrontations at various points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Naravane describes how the Indian Army responded to the PLA’s refusal to remove tents at Patrolling Point 14 (PP-14) by pitching their tents in the same area, leading to the violent clashes.
He also discusses the aftermath of the clashes, including tense negotiations and the return of Indian soldiers who had been detained or disoriented. The memoir reveals that the Indian side suffered substantial casualties, including 15 soldiers who succumbed to injuries and hypothermia.
Naravane notes that the PLA too suffered significant losses, a fact initially denied by China but later partially acknowledged. He cites reports by Australian researchers and Russian news agency TASS, which estimate the Chinese casualties to be considerably higher than officially admitted.
The memoir also highlights the crisis as a catalyst for the Indian Army’s strategic shift and rebalancing towards the northern front. This move, according to Naravane, has bolstered India’s position from dissuasive to credible deterrence, enhancing its ability to respond effectively to any future challenges from China.
Gen Naravane emphasizes the need for a ‘non-aggression’ pact between India and China to restore confidence and facilitate de-escalation, drawing parallels with efforts by China and ASEAN countries. He advocates for resuming high-level talks to settle the border dispute and suggests that such a pact could significantly contribute to long-term peace and stability in the region.