New Delhi (NVI): Sending out a message to China, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today said the “new India” is capable of responding to any transgression, aggression or any other unilateral action on borders.
Referring to the military faceoff on the Ladakh border created by China, he said India’s handling of the situation showed that the country is not weak and can give a befitting reply to any kind of transgression, aggression, or unilateral acts.
He said India favours peaceful resolution of disputes but will not tolerate any harm to its self-respect.
“You must be aware of the India-China standoff. Beijing’s behaviour during the COVID-19 goes on to show the intention of the country. However, we have shown that our country is now, no longer weak in any way,” the Defence Minister said addressing young officers of the Air Force during the graduation parade at Air Force Academy in Dundigal, Hyderabad.
“This is new India that is willing to respond to any transgression, aggression or any unilateral action on borders,” Singh asserted, in a clear message to China.
The military faceoff began in May after China launched aggression in a bid to change the Line of Actual Control in the Ladakh sector. China mobilised tens of thousands of its troops at the border in a threatening manner, prompting India take reciprocal measures to safeguard its territorial integrity. The eyeball-to-eyeball situation continues even eight months after it began.
Eight rounds of talks at the level of senior military commanders, besides meetings at the levels of National Security Advisers, Foreign Ministers and Defence Ministers have failed to end the faceoff.
India has been pressing for complete disengagement at all friction points on the Line of Actual Control but China is refusing to budge, thus leading to a stalemate.
