No power in the world can stop Indian forces from patrolling areas where they have traditionally done so, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said in Rajya Sabha on Thursday, adding that China has amassed troops on the border for which the Army had performed appropriate counter-deployments.
In a detailed statement on the situation in the Upper House, Singh said the recent action by Chinese forces to amass large numbers of troops reflects a disregard for bilateral pacts, adding that Indian forces were capable of meeting any challenge. However, he stressed that the best way to address differences is peacefully.
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In response to concerns expressed by members of the Chinese side obstructing the Indian patrols, Singh said that no change in the patrol pattern would be allowed. “On the patrol pattern, I want to make it clear that this is the reason behind the confrontation. The patrol pattern is traditional and well defined. No power in the world can stop our jaws from patrolling. If our soldiers have made sacrifices, this is the real reason for doing it. And there will be no change in the patrol pattern, ”Singh said.
Earlier, several members, including former Defense Minister AK Antony, had expressed concern that Indian patrols were not allowed to reach traditional points. Many members also said that the status quo ante should be restored.
In a detailed statement in the House, Singh stressed that while India was committed to peace, it was also firm in protecting its borders. The defense minister said the Chinese side had been told that the situation at the border will have implications in other areas as well.
Singh told the Upper House that the issue of the India-China border is not resolved. China believes the boundary issue has yet to be resolved, he said, adding that it also does not recognize the usual line.
Both countries discussed this in the 1950s and 1960s but there was no solution. China has occupied 38,000 square kilometers of Indian land, Singh said.
He said that during the discussions, China has also accepted that a peaceful solution is needed. But so far, there is no commonly delineated line of actual control in the border areas between India and China, he added.
“India believes that bilateral relations and the question of boundaries can be discussed. But the situation in LAC will definitely have an impact on bilateral issues, ”Singh said, adding that there is often an overlap of perceptions in many places.
Singh said that this year, starting in April, China increased the number and armament at the border. “Our army took the necessary measures. We have made it clear that the unilateral status quo is not accepted under any circumstances, ”said Singh.
He added that China had started a very violent confrontation in Galwan. “Our soldiers responded and also inflicted losses on the offending side,” Singh said.
The defense minister said that it was made clear that LAC must be respected by both parties and that there should be no unilateral attempt to alter the status quo.
“It is clear from Chinese stocks that there is a difference between what is said and what is done,” Singh added. He said it was clear from the actions on the southern shore of Pangong Lake, but the Indian military had effectively addressed the attempts. The Chinese actions reflect a “disregard” for the bilateral pacts, he added.
These pacts have detailed rules to deal with fighting. The violent conduct of the Chinese forces is a violation of all regulations, Singh said. “The Chinese side has accumulated a large amount of troops and ammunition. Our forces have also conducted appropriate counter-deployments. The House must be confident that our forces are capable of meeting this challenge. In the midst of Covid-19, there has been a rapid deployment of our forces. This is also because the government has focused on the development of border infrastructure, ”said the defense minister.
In the interest of the country, all the strict measures that must be taken will be taken, said the defense minister. Singh said aggressive conduct and troop buildup at the border are issues he had raised with his Chinese counterpart in Moscow.
“It is true that we are going through a challenging phase in Ladakh. But also rest assured that our forces are capable of dealing with that, ”he said.
Emphasizing that India believed it was better to deal with differences peacefully, Singh said that it is always possible to start a war, but it is not easy to end it. Noting the nation’s determination to defend itself, Singh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself had gone to Ladakh to encourage the Jawans.
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