NEW DELHI (PTI): Amid a lingering border row in eastern Ladakh, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has addressed top commanders of the Indian Army and expressed confidence in the force in dealing with "any contingency" even as he said the ongoing talks with China for a peaceful resolution "will continue at all levels".

The first phase of the second Army Commanders' Conference (ACC) of this year began in a forward area in Sikkim's Gangtok, a location that holds significance for the Indian Army given its proximity to the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

"War preparedness should be a continuous phenomena and we should always be ready for unpredictables, for the uncertainties that may crop up any time. We should always be strengthening our fighting skills and weapons technologies so as to act effectively wherever called for," Singh said on Friday, Oct 11.

The nation is proud of its Army and the government is committed to facilitate the the force in their forward movement, "on the road to reforms and capability modernisation", he added.

During the event, Indian Army's apex leadership comprehensively deliberated upon all aspects of existing security scenarios, situation along the borders and in the hinterland and challenges for the present security apparatus, the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

Singh was scheduled to address this gathering of commanders in person. But, due to bad weather at Gangtok, he addressed them via a weblink from an Army location at Sukhna.

Singh reasserted the faith of the entire nation in the Indian Army, as one of the most trusted and inspiring organisations in the country.

He highlighted the significant role being played by the Indian Army in "guarding our borders and fighting terrorism apart from providing assistance to the civil administration in every need of the hour".

On the current situation along the northern borders, the Defence Minister "expressed full confidence in the Army for any contingency", though the ongoing talks for peaceful resolution "will continue at all levels," the statement quoted the Minister as saying.

The Indian and Chinese militaries have been locked in a standoff since May 2020 and a full resolution of the border row has not yet been achieved though the two sides have disengaged from a number of friction points.

Several rounds of military and diplomatic talks have taken place between India and China, with New Delhi maintaining that peace and tranquility along the LAC is essential for normalisation of bilateral ties.

The ties between the two countries nosedived significantly following the fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades. Singh in his address also referred to the situation along the western border.

He complimented the Indian Army's response to cross-border terrorism, however, the proxy war by the adversary continues, the statement said.

"I compliment the excellent synergy between the CAPF, police forces and the Army in tackling the menace of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. The synergised operations in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are contributing to increased stability and peace in the region which was also evident in the recently conducted elections in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, and for this I again compliment the Indian Army," he said.

The Defence Minister stressed upon the present "complex and ambiguous world situation" which affects everyone globally.

"Unconventional and asymmetric warfare, including hybrid war will be part of the future conventional wars and the same is evident in the recent conflicts happening in various parts of world. This necessitates that armed forces should keep all these facets in consideration while planning and formulating strategies," he said.

The force must keep learning from the incidents, including the global ones, that happened in present, as also in past, so as to avert the damage.

"Be alert, regularly modernise and prepare continuously for various contingencies," the Minister said.

He complimented the efforts of Border Roads Organisation (BRO), which has led to the incomparable improvement of road communication in the border areas.

In addition, the conference also focused on issues pertaining to organisational restructuring, logistics, administration and human resource management, the Ministry said.

Singh also complimented the Army's approach on the infusion and absorption of cutting-edge technology. Modernisation of weapons for every soldier through 'atmanirbharta' is the key focus of the government and the government is completely with the Armed Forces in this aspect, the Minister said.