No country in the world can touch or occupy even an inch of India’s territory, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserted in Ladakh on Friday.
Mr. Singh’s comments came in the aftermath of stand-offs with China on the border, including the killing of 20 Indian soldiers by Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley on June 15.
“The progress in the talks [with China] should lead to a resolution of the issue”. However, there was no guarantee to what extent the issue (with China) would be resolved, he told troops at Lukung Border Observation Post (BOP) near Pangong Tso.
Mr. Singh was accompanied by Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Bipin Rawat and Army chief Gen. Manoj Naravane.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrives in Leh. He is accompanied by CDC Gen Bipin Rawat and Army Chief Gen Manoj Naravane. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Pictured holding a machine gun while interacting with soldiers, he said that India desired peace, not conflict. “But it’s in our character that we have never tried to hurt the self-respect of any other country. However, if anyone tries to hurt India’s self-respect, then we will not tolerate this in any circumstances and give them a fitting response.”
Mr, Singh is on a two-day visit to Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir to review the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the Line of Control (LoC).
Battle drills
Mr. Singh witnessed an exercise by troops, including some battle drills by the Ladakh Scouts. He was later briefed on the situation, including the actual position of the troops on both sides and addressed troops at Lukung, a defence source said.
The exercise showcased the application of integrated combined force in high-altitude terrain, involving newer generation IAF helicopters and special forces in vertical envelopment and ground forces, including mechanised columns effecting speedy link up, the source stated and added that a special assault drill by the Ladakh Scouts was also showcased.
Upon arrival in Leh, Mr. Singh met senior commanders of the Army, the Air Force and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) for an informal briefing. He witnessed para-dropping by military personnel and scoping weapons at Stankna near Leh and interacted with the personnel who took part in the demonstration before moving to Lukung. Later in the day, Mr. Singh flew from Leh to Srinagar.
Modi’s visit
On July 3, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a surprise visit to Leh where he interacted and addressed visited troops at Nimu.
Last week, troops of India and China undertook disengagement from the stand-off points at Galwan and Gogra and partial disengagement at Hot Springs and Pangong Tso. Further steps on disengagement were discussed at the fourth round of talks at the Corps Commander level on June 30.