General Bikram Singh: ‘Political efforts shouldn’t lull us into complacency’

The former Army chief called for rightsizing the Army with state-of-the-art equipment --- by not only reducing manpower and pruning existing structures but also augmenting manpower and creating new structures where necessary.

3 min readChandigarhUpdated: Jun 19, 2020 07:57 AM IST

china border, India china diplomacy, china border dispute, General Bikram Singh, India china foreign policy, galwan valley,

General Bikram Singh (retd)

General Bikram Singh (retd), the former Army chief who had pushed for raising a Mountain Strike Corps with the capability of striking at the enemy across mountains, notably along LAC, on Thursday said that given the statements emanating from Beijing and PLA headquarters, it is apparent that China has dug in its heels and is not inclined to disengage.

“Military-level talks at various levels are unlikely to yield any perceptible results. An amicable resolution is now possible only through diplomatic and political channels. However, such initiatives should not lull us into complacency. At the military level, we should be prepared to use force to evict the PLA from the intrusion areas and effectively deal with the escalation, which is bound to occur.’’

On the ongoing plan to restructure the Army by setting up integrated battle groups, he said it should be done gradually. “We should not get strategically imbalanced while undertaking such transformation in a hurry… I feel our transformation should be need based.”

Also Read | Stick to your side of LAC: Delhi to Beijing

Gen Singh explained that till the time our disputed borders, insurgencies and proxy war are resolved, we should avoid, to the extent possible, any reduction in manpower. “In the years to come, our security challenges are going to increase,” he said.

On the Mountain Strike Corps (MSC), Gen Singh recounted how he had made a presentation on it to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). “It was approved by the CCS after a detailed discussion,” he said.

Read | Why Ladakh matters to India and China

Emphasising the importance of the MSC, he said, “Nations empower their militaries to deter war, and should that fail, fight to win wars. Against China, the MSC would provide the requisite deterrence and enable us to launch decisive operations where necessary. Perhaps it may be worth revisiting it. As an emerging regional and global power, India must carry a big stick.”

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On the situation at Galwan valley, Gen Singh said, “This area is of great importance as an intrusion here has the potential to interdict our strategic road that sustains our troops in Sub Sector North — the general area of Daulat Beig Oldie road. In any case, we cannot allow the Chinese to grab any of our areas and alter the LAC. From the satellite images, it is evident that the PLA have staged forward a brigade-size force, which ipso facto points to their intent of staying on.”

Read | Gen V P Malik: ‘Be ready for a long haul if talks don’t yield results’

He emphasised that the military must be given the necessary budgetary support to undertake its modernisation.

On the way forward, he said it is clear from PM Narendra Modi’s statements that while keeping options open for a negotiated resolution, he has conveyed a firm message to China that India shall not accept any intrusion on its soil and if necessary would not hesitate to use force.

Manraj Grewal Sharma

Manraj Grewal Sharma is a senior journalist and the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh, where she leads the newspaper’s coverage of north India’s most politically and institutionally significant regions. From Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, she oversees reporting at the intersection of governance, law, politics and society. She also reports on the diaspora, especially in Canada and the US. With a career spanning journalism across several countries, academia and international development, Manraj brings a rare depth of perspective to regional reporting. She is widely regarded as a leading chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary history and socio-political evolution, particularly its long shadow of militancy, federal tensions and identity politics. Her book, Dreams after Darkness, remains a definitive account of the militancy years and their enduring aftermath. Professional Background & Expertise A gold medalist in mass communication and a post-graduate in English literature, Manraj has a multifaceted career spanning journalism, academia, and international development. She was also awarded a fellowship by National Foundation of India and did several in-depth pieces on Manipur. Internationally, she has reported from Israel, US, UK, Myanmar, and Mauritius Her key focus areas include: Regional Politics, History, Agriculture, Diaspora, and Security. Of late, she has started focusing on Legal & Judicial Affairs: Much of her recent work involves reporting on high-stakes cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranging from environmental policy to civil rights. International Consulting: She previously served as a consulting editor for the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and a publishing consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Academia: For five years, she was the managing editor of Gender, Technology and Development, a peer-reviewed international journal at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage focuses heavily on judicial interventions and regional governance: 1. Environment & Governance "‘NGT can’t test legality of policy’: HC hears challenge to Punjab’s ‘Green Habitat’ plan" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering a critical legal battle over whether the National Green Tribunal has the authority to strike down a state policy regularizing farmhouses on delisted forest land. "High court pulls up Punjab poll panel over audio clip probe" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on judicial concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of local body elections. 2. Legal Rights & Social Welfare "HC issues notice to Punjab, Haryana over delay in building old age homes" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on a contempt petition against top officials for failing to establish government-run homes for the elderly as promised in 2019. "Victims can appeal acquittals in sessions court without seeking special leave" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant procedural shift in criminal law following a Supreme Court ruling. "HC upholds benefits for Punjab FCI officer acquitted in 20-year-old bribery case" (Dec 19, 2025): A report on the concept of "honourable acquittal" and its impact on employee benefits. 3. Human Rights & Identity "As Punjab denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh, HC asks it to submit ‘foundational material’" (Dec 1, 2025): Covering the legal proceedings regarding the radical preacher and sitting MP's request to attend Parliament. "Protecting life paramount: HC backs Muslim woman in live-in after verbal divorce" (Nov 6, 2025): Analyzing judicial protections for personal liberty in the context of traditional practices. Signature Beats Manraj is recognized for her ability to decode complex judicial rulings and relate them to the everyday lives of citizens. Whether it is a 30-year-old land battle in Fazilka or the political implications of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy in Mandi, her writing provides deep historical and regional context. Contact @grewal_sharma on X manrajgrewalsharma on Instagram ... Read More

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