India will maintain its current troop levels along the northern frontier throughout the winter, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi announced on Monday, emphasizing that any reduction during the summer will depend on ongoing negotiations with China.

“During winter deployment, the number of troops comes down. So, at least in the winter strategy, we are not looking forward to any reduction of troops,” General Dwivedi stated during a press briefing in New Delhi. He added, “When it comes to the summer strategy, we'll take a review based on the progress of negotiations and meetings at that time.”

The statement comes amidst ongoing tensions along the India-China border in Ladakh, where a deadly clash in 2020 resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers. Following the confrontation, both sides ceased patrolling several points along the disputed border to prevent further escalation, while significantly increasing troop and military equipment presence in the freezing mountainous region.

In October last year, India and China reached an agreement to resolve the military standoff, leading to the withdrawal of troops from some contested areas. However, General Dwivedi’s remarks highlight the cautious approach India is taking in light of the border’s historically volatile nature.

The India-China border, a poorly demarcated line running through the Himalayas, has been a longstanding source of tension between the two nations, culminating in a brief but bloody war in 1962. While ties improved after diplomatic efforts and agreements from 1991 onwards, fostering robust trade and economic links, the 2020 clashes severely strained relations.

As both nations continue their negotiations, the Indian Army’s strategy underscores the delicate balance between maintaining security and seeking peaceful resolutions to border disputes.