Hopeful, but can’t guarantee China talks outcome: Rajnath Singh

NEW DELHI: No force in the world can grab Indian territory, asserted defence minister Rajnath Singh while addressing troops on Friday at the west bank of Pangong Tso, around 40 km from where Indian and Chinese militaries are in a prolonged stand-off in eastern Ladakh.
In comments during a visit that included a tour of forward areas in Ladakh where he witnessed combat drills with the latest weapon systems and platforms inducted by the armed forces, Rajnath said, “Talks are under way (with China) to resolve the border dispute…it should be resolved. But to what extent it can be resolved, I cannot guarantee. But let me assure you that no power in the world can either touch or capture even one inch of Indian territory.”
His remarks came at the inland lake, the north bank of which is the site of Chinese intrusions in the mountainous spurs— Fingers 4 to 8. These have become a particularly contentious issue between Indian and Chinese forces even as they discuss disengagement and de-escalation.
Also importantly, at Stakna which is closer to Leh, the defence minister witnessed an intensive exercise with soldiers from the Ladakh Scouts and Para-Special Forces armed with new-generation weapons as well as T-90S main-battle tanks, infantry combat vehicles, Rudra attack helicopters and C-130J ‘Super Hercules’ aircraft to underline India’s combat readiness in response to the Chinese build-up. “The exercise showcased application of integrated combined forces, with new IAF helicopters and other weapon systems, in high-altitude terrain. The Ladakh Scouts carried out a special assault drill, while paratroopers jumped from C-130J aircraft,” said an officer.
The ongoing troop confrontation on the north bank of the 134-km-long Pangong lake, two-thirds of which is controlled by China as it extends from Tibet to India, has been one of the major face-off sites between the rival armies since early-May.
Chinese soldiers have till now only moved back from the ‘base’ of ‘Finger-4’ to ‘Finger-5’ (mountainous spurs) on the north bank, without also fully vacating the ridge-line that dominates the area. India wants them to pull back by about 8 km till ‘Finger-8’, where the Line of Actual Control runs north to south.
The minister, accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and Army chief General M M Naravane, said there would be nothing better than finding a solution through the diplomatic and military talks that were under way.
But referring to the 20 Indian soldiers who were killed in the bloody skirmish with PLA troops in Galwan Valley on June 15, Singh said their sacrifice and bravery will not go in vain. “India is a country that has neither attacked any other nation, nor occupied anyone else’s territory. Our character has been that we have never tried to hurt the self-respect and dignity of any country. But if anyone tries to hurt the self-respect of India, we will not tolerate it and give a befitting reply,” he said.
From Ladakh, Singh left for Srinagar to review the operational situation along the Line of Control with Pakistan. He told military commanders to maintain a strict vigil along the LoC and remain prepared to give a befitting reply to any misadventure by the adversary. Singh later in the evening also chaired a high-level security review meeting which was attended, apart from the military brass, by the J&K lieutenant governor, chief secretary and DGP, among others.