The Indian military is always prepared for any eventuality, the Interior Minister said on Saturday, days after Chinese President Xi Jinping warned PLA troops to be prepared for war amid continuing tensions with India in eastern Ladakh.
In an interview with editor-in-chief Rahul Joshi, Shah said that India will never give up “an inch” of territory to China. “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.
Shah, however, added that the military of both countries are talking to each other and that diplomatic channels of communication are also open. “It does not seem pertinent to comment as the country’s interior minister. But I will repeat the words of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We are on guard and no one can take an inch of our territory from us, ”he said.
Indian and Chinese diplomats and military officials have held several rounds of talks, the seventh and the last of which was held on October 13, to move away from the abyss after a clash between border troops broke out in June in which 20 soldiers were killed. Indians.
But Xi’s recent remarks during an inspection by the People’s Liberation Army Marine Corps have further fueled the animosity. Addressing the soldiers, Xi asked them to “put all (their) mind and energy into preparing for war.”
A ill-thought-out Chinese warning to the Indian media about Taiwan, prompting a “get lost” by the latter’s foreign minister, further strained ties.
When asked if India should change its diplomatic policy towards Tibet and Taiwan in tit-for-tat response to China’s claim on Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, Shah said: “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 approved India’s position (on China) in parliament. I think thats enough. Talks with China are underway … “
However, he added that India has the support of the world community. “Our intentions are noble and strong. A country of 130 million million inhabitants will bow down to no one. We are also right and we have the support of the majority of countries, ”he said.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had recently criticized Beijing for its “bad behavior” and threats to US partners India, Japan and Australia.
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