Amidst the ongoing border standoff with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China since May 2020, the Territorial Army (TA) has made a strategic move by inducting five Mandarin language experts in August of this year. These experts have been strategically placed in forward areas where the Border Personnel Meetings (BPM) transpire, aiming to facilitate the resolution of local-level issues.
It is imperative to mention that there exist five BPM points along the extensive 3,488-kilometer-long Line of Actual Control (LAC), extending from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. These pivotal BPM points are situated at Bum La and Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh, Daulat Beg Oldi and Chushul in Ladakh, and Nathu La in Sikkim.
These proficient Mandarin linguists have been handpicked to provide invaluable assistance during the border talks between the Indian Army and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. Since May 2020, both sides have engaged in an impressive 19 rounds of dialogues in their earnest endeavor to resolve the protracted standoff. The Territorial Army, often referred to as the ‘Citizens Army,’ selectively recruits professionals, business individuals, and others who wish to serve a specific cause and contribute to national security.
Sources within the defense establishment have revealed that these language experts underwent a rigorous selection process, involving written examinations and interviews conducted by the Territorial Army to meet the exacting demands of the regular Indian Army. Their primary role is to interpret and translate the conversations between the Indian and Chinese forces during the border talks, ensuring effective communication and understanding.
Presently, the Territorial Army boasts 60 deployed battalions and has considerably expanded its operational scope to encompass additional auxiliary responsibilities within the Indian Army. Among these battalions, 43 are designated as “Infantry TA units” and are seamlessly integrated with the regular Army. These units have a distinguished history, having actively participated in wartime operations and currently play a pivotal role in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism efforts in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and the North-Eastern regions.
The Territorial Army has exhibited its preparedness and agility, notably when it swiftly mobilized troops in response to the military standoff with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh in April 2020.
Ganga Task Force
Additionally, a specialized ecological battalion, known as the “Ganga Task Force,” is strategically stationed along the banks of the Ganga River, contributing significantly to environmental preservation and security. Moreover, the TA plays a critical role in safeguarding essential railway projects and lines and ensuring the uninterrupted maintenance of vital road networks in strategically significant areas. This multifaceted approach underscores the Territorial Army’s commitment to national security and its growing influence within the Indian Army’s operational framework.