(Updating earlier copy)
New Delhi (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while interacting with troops in Ladakh today, said that no country in the world can take away even an inch of land from India. He said that talks on the border row with China were underway to resolve the dispute in the most amicable way.
Rajnath, who arrived in Ladakh this morning said that India-China talks should resolve the border dispute, but to what extent, he can’t guarantee. He was interacting with soldiers at Lukung post.
“Talks are underway to resolve the border dispute but to what extent it can be resolved, I cannot guarantee. But I can assure you that not even an inch of our land can be taken by any power in the world. If solution can be found by talks, there is nothing better,” Singh said.
जो कुछ भी अब तक बातचीत की प्रगति हुई है, उससे मामला हल होना चाहिए। कहाँ तक हल होगा इसकी गारंटी नहीं दे सकता। लेकिन इतना यक़ीन मैं ज़रूर दिलाना चाहता हूँ कि भारत की एक इंच ज़मीन भी दुनिया की कोई ताक़त छू नहीं सकती, उस पर कोई कब्ज़ा नहीं कर सकता। pic.twitter.com/RjLP3p1cpa
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 17, 2020
Singh, who arrived in Ladakh over a month after the Galwan Valley clashes last month, assured the troops that the sacrifice of Indian soldiers killed in the face-off will not go in vain. 20 Indian soldiers had lost their lives in violent clashes with the Chinese troops on June 15.
The Defence Minister, who is on a two-day long visit to take stock of the military preparedness in the region amid the ongoing tension with China, was accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane.
Earlier today, taking to Twitter, Rajnath said, “Leaving for Leh on a two-day visit to Ladakh and Jammu-Kashmir. I shall be visiting the forward areas to review the situation at the borders and also interact with the Armed Forces personnel deployed in the region. Looking forward to it.”
Leaving for Leh on a two day visit to Ladakh and Jammu-Kashmir. I shall be visiting the forward areas to review the situation at the borders and also interact with the Armed Forces personnel deployed in the region. Looking forward to it.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 17, 2020
Singh visited Stakna forward areas after landing in Ladakh where the troops showed him paradropping skills of the armed forces.
This is Rajnath’s first visit to Ladakh after an escalation in tensions along the LAC following the Galwan valley clashes.
Both sides recently held the fourth round of military-level talks on disengagement in eastern Ladakh. In the talks between corps commanders of the Indian and Chinese armies, that started on Tuesday and stretched into the early hours of Wednesday, both sides discussed the roadmap for further reducing tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Singh’s visit also comes exactly two weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a surprise trip to Ladakh, when he addressed troops and signalled the country’s firmness in dealing with the India-China border row.
-CHK/ARK
