Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh spoke in Parliament on Tuesday about the border clash with China in Ladakh and said China is not respecting the usual alignment of the border with India.
He said the alignment has not only been defined by treaties, but has historically been maintained. However, China believes that the border is not defined, he added, warning that any serious situation in the Royal Line of Control (ALC) is bound to impact bilateral relations.
The defense minister also paid tribute to the 20 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting the Chinese army in the Galwan clash on June 15.
Singh called the border issue complex and said both countries agreed to resolve it peacefully. There are many agreements and protocols between the two countries to maintain peace and tranquility at the border, he added.
Singh’s statement comes amid rising tensions along the Royal Line of Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh after a series of recent maneuvers by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the Chinese Army. India in the Pangong Tso area.
Officers with the rank of commander of the corps have already met five times to discuss the issue, but failed to break the deadlock. Military officers are likely to meet again this week. This will be their first meeting after the Indian Army moved quickly and occupied key heights to prevent the PLA from seizing Indian territory on the southern shore of Pangong Tso in a stealth move midnight on August 29.
The defense minister’s statement also acquires relevance in the context of the Opposition’s demands for a debate on the subject.
.
