The Indian Army's strong preparedness ensured that the Galwan clash of 2020 did not escalate into a full-scale war with China, Brigadier Saurabh Singh Shekhawat, the then commander of the sector, observed.
At a lecture held at the Lok Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala recently, on Monday, Brigadier Shekhawat has stated that the reason the Galwan clash of 15 June 2020 between the Indian Army and the Chinese Army did not escalate into a full-scale war was due to the Indian Army's strong preparedness, which earned the respect of the adversary, a statement issued by the Governor's office said.
He contended that the enemy only understands the "language of strength and power" and said that once this strength was demonstrated, tensions subsided.
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The Galwan clash was a confrontation between Indian and Chinese troops without a single bullet being fired. Soldiers fought using stones and iron rods.
Shekhawat, in his speech, said that skulls were smashed, and there were situations where soldiers were pushed into icy, snow-covered rivers and drowned, and added that this is the true nature of "contact battle".
"Soldiers must prepare both mentally and physically for such brutality, as such direct confrontations will occur again. The battlefield is not Instagram, not Facebook, not photographs. The battlefield is extremely brutal," Brigadier Shekhawat was quoted as having said in the statement, reports news agency PTI.
He further said that the situation following Galwan was extremely tense with major changes and improvements being implemented, while training continued with unwavering commitment and relentless intensity during all seasons and under all conditions.
"Armoured personnel carriers, tanks, newly inducted vehicles, horses and aircraft—every possible means—were utilised. Weapons and equipment were upgraded and strengthened all along the frontier," he said, adding that the terrain and weather there were more challenging than the enemy.
He said that initially the relationship between him and his Chinese counterpart were highly strained with "aggressive patrols, displays of force and minor clashes", but the situation calmed down after each side assessed the other's preparedness and strength.
