Gen MM Naravane was briefed on operational readiness during his visit to Siachen and Ladakh

Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane visited eastern Ladakh and Siachen on Tuesday and reviewed India’s operational preparedness in the strategically key sectors

Army Chief Naravane was accompanied by Lt Gen YK Joshi, Army Commander of the Northern Command, and Lt Gen PGK Menon, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Leh-based Fire & Fury Corps.

According to an official release, Gen Naravane interacted with the troops and complimented them for their steadfastness and high morale, while being deployed in some of the harshest terrain, altitude and weather conditions.

Lt Gen Menon later briefed Gen Naravane about the prevailing security situation and operational preparedness in the region.

The Army chief is scheduled to return to the national capital on Wednesday.

The Army chief's visit to eastern Ladakh comes at a time when India and China are rotating troops in the forward areas and training for their annual summer exercises.

India and China conducted 11 rounds of Corps Commander-level discussions to move the disengagement phase forward in the remaining pressure points such as Gogra, Hot Springs, and Depsang, but no results were achieved.

"Anything we do needs to be done with caution. We will remain cautious and closely track any activity on either side of the LAC until and until the trust gap is bridged. But, at the end of the day, I believe we have achieved a great deal,” Indian Army Chief Gen MM Naravane previously said in relation to the situation in Ladakh.