Confrontation between India and China: General Bipin Rawat told MPs that the armed forces were ready (archive)
New Delhi:
India’s armed forces are ready for any eventuality, Chief of Defense General Bipin Rawat told Parliament’s Standing Committee on Defense today, even as tensions between India and China remain high following “provocative behavior. of Chinese front-line troops “along LAC – Line of Actual Control, which serves as a factor border between the two countries.
The meeting was attended, for the first time in this Lok Sabha, by Congressional MP Rahul Gandhi, who has been a strong critic of the government for its handling of China’s border line.
General Rawat told the committee that the armed forces had taken appropriate measures and steps to thwart any attempt by China to continue to change or alter the status quo throughout LAC.
The defense forces are alert and will provide an adequate response to the Chinese in case of any mishap that occurs along the border, the general said.
General Rawat’s claim, who made similar remarks earlier this month at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, comes a day after Foreign Minister S Jaishankar met with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi. , in Russia on Thursday to ease tension after an increase in hostilities along the border.
The government said that Jaishankar, among other issues, highlighted India’s “great concern about the concentration of Chinese troops, with equipment, throughout LAC.”
After that meeting, a joint statement said India and China agreed to reduce border tensions and take steps to restore “peace and tranquility.” Both parties, the statement added, also agreed that the situation was not in their best interests and that troops should quickly withdraw and ease tensions.
Wang also said he supported an improved dialogue between the troops to solve “specific problems”.
The immediate task, “to prevent any adverse incidents in the future,” is to “ensure a complete withdrawal of troops in all areas of friction,” India told China, the sources said.
Meanwhile, Gandhi, who accused the government of concealing the Chinese occupation of Indian territory and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “surrendering” to Chinese aggression, tweeted tonight.
“The only ‘conversation’ we have with China is about restoring the ‘Status Quo Ante’ from March 2020 (before the border crisis broke out). The Prime Minister and the Government of India refuse to assume the responsibility to expel China from our land. All other “talk” is useless, “he declared.
The only “conversation” you can have with China is about restoring the ‘Status Quo Ante’ as of March 2020.
PM and GOI refuse to take responsibility for expelling China from our land.
Any other “talk” is useless.
– Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 11, 2020
“The Chinese have taken over our land. When exactly is the government of India planning to take it back? Or will that also be left to an ‘act of God’?” Mr Gandhi added.
The Chinese have taken over our land.
When exactly is the GOI planning to get it back?
Or will that also be left to an ‘act of God’?
– Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 11, 2020
In a new outbreak earlier this week, China accused India of crossing the LAC – along the southern shore of Lake Pangong in eastern Ladakh – and firing warning shots in provocative actions.
India said Chinese forces had tried to get closer to their positions and fired shots into the air. The Army claimed that the Indian soldiers did not cross LAC or resort to aggressive means, including fire.
China “has blatantly violated the accords and carried out aggressive maneuvers, while engagement at the military, diplomatic and political level is in progress,” India said.
The Indian Army and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) have been at a standstill across LAC in eastern Ladakh since early May. The following month, 20 Indian soldiers were killed for their nation in a violent attack by Chinese forces in the Galwan region of eastern Ladakh.
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