Union Interior Minister Amit Shah has said that the government is taking all possible military and diplomatic measures to resolve the current border standoff in Ladakh with China and is committed to protecting the sovereignty and security of the country.
Shah said in an interview to a television news channel on Saturday that the Indian defense forces are always ready to respond to any form of aggression. His comments came days after Chinese President Xi Jinping called on People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops to be prepared for war amid continuing tensions with India in eastern Ladakh.
“We are attentive to every inch of our land, no one can take it from us … Our defense forces and leadership are capable of defending the sovereignty and border of the country,” he said in an interview with News18 Group. “Every nation is always ready (for war). That is the purpose of maintaining armies: to respond to any form of aggression. I am not saying this in reference to any particular comment, but the Indian defense forces are always ready, ”he said.
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The Union Interior Minister also added that the military of both countries are talking to each other and that diplomatic channels of communication are also open. The seventh round of talks between Indian and Chinese diplomats and military officials took place on October 13 and lasted more than 12 hours. A day after the seventh round of talks between senior military commanders in Chushul, India and China said in a joint press release that both sides agreed to continue their dialogue to reach a mutually acceptable solution for an early disengagement in Ladakh’s eastern theater. .
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They said they had a better understanding of each other’s position in the sensitive sector after the latest round of talks, even as the border row is in its sixth month and efforts to disengage and reduce escalation have made no progress. “The two sides had a sincere, in-depth and constructive exchange of views on the disengagement along the Royal Line of Control in the western sector of the India-China border areas. They felt that these discussions were positive, constructive and improved understanding of the positions of others, ”the statement said.
Shah was also asked whether India should change its policy towards Tibet and Taiwan in a tit-for-tat response to China’s claim on Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. “It is not correct to discuss this here. It is a very complex subject with far-reaching implications. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar have clarified India’s position (on China) in parliament. I think thats enough. Talks with China are underway … ”, he said.
Both countries have deployed more than 50,000 troops each along with advanced weapons and systems in eastern Ladakh. The Indian Army and the PLA have made preparations for a long haul in the sector, even as talks continue at the military and diplomatic level.
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