NO CHANGE IN PATROLLING PATTERN ALONG LAC: SINGH

New Delhi, (the states. news) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday reiterated that there would be no change in patrolling pattern of Indian armed forces along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China where several friction points have come up since April when China’s PLA started amassing equipment and troops.

In his reply to Opposition in Rajya Sabha after his statement on “Development on our border in Ladakh”, the minister said that a meeting would be called of leaders of various political parties to brief them.

Earlier, Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu observed and suggested Mr Singh to call a meeting of senior leaders of political parties to discuss the India-China border row issue. Later, Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma also demanded for the same.

Mr Singh said, “I have taken into the consideration.”

When former defence minister AK Anthony asked about the Chinese Army stopping Indian armed forces from patrolling, the minister said, “No power in the world can stop Indian Army to patrol.”

On a question by the Opposition that the Chinese are not allowing Indian soldiers to patrol the traditional posts, he said, “That is the reason for our fight with China.”

After his statement, about a dozen of Opposition leaders sought clarifications from the minister and stood unanimously with the government and the armed forces and appreciated the valour displayed by the soldiers in protecting the country’s boundary.

In his statement, the minister said China does not recognise the traditional customary alignment of the LAC with India and that the recent conduct of the PLA troops reflects a disregard of bilateral agreements between the two sides.

He also said that India’s timely actions had foiled the attempts to change the status quo in Pangong Tso.

“I would like to assure Parliament that India will not stepback from taking any harsh decision and that our forces are in a better position to retaliate,” Mr Singh said, adding that China has built up war machines and troops near the LAC.

During his address, Mr Singh also said that China continues to illegally occupy a large area of Ladakh.

“China has illegally occupied of approx 38,000 sq. kms in the Union Territory of Ladakh. In addition, under the so-called Sino-Pakistan ‘Boundary Agreement’ of 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 sq km. of Indian territory in PoK to China. China also claims approximately 90,000 sq kms of Indian territory in the Eastern Sector of the India-China boundary in Arunachal Pradesh. Chinese actions reflect a disregard of our various bilateral agreements,” he added.

Stressing that India believes in “peaceful coexistence”, he said that the armed forces have shown ‘sayyam and shaurya‘ (patience and bravery).

“The amassing of the troops by China goes against the 1993 and 1996 Agreements. Respecting and strictly observing LAC is the basis for peace and tranquility in the border areas. While our armed forces abide scrupulously by it, this has not been reciprocated by the Chinese side.”

The defence minister assured the House that the Armed forces would face the current challenge successfully.

“As we all know earlier too there have been standoffs which were resolved peacefully. Although, this year it is different, still we are committed to peaceful resolution. But I want to tell the house we are ready to face all situations,” Mr Singh said.

He also said India remains committed to resolving the current issues in “our border areas through peaceful dialogue and consultations.”

“I met my Chinese counterpart on September 4 in Moscow and had a detailed discussion regarding the current situation with him. I conveyed in clear terms our concerns related to the actions of the Chinese side, including amassing a large number of troops, their aggressive behavior and attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo that were in violation of the bilateral agreements,” he said.

“I also made it clear that even as we wanted to peacefully resolve the issue and would like the Chinese side to work with us, there should also be no doubt about our determination to protect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the minister added.

“My colleague, S Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister, has thereafter met the Chinese Foreign Minister in Moscow on 10th September. The two have reached an agreement, which, if implemented sincerely and faithfully by the Chinese side, could lead to complete disengagement and restoration of peace and tranquility in the border areas,” Mr Singh said.uni