General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defense Staff of India, told MPs the armed forces are ready (File)
New Delhi:
India’s armed forces are ready for any eventuality, Chief of Defense Staff Gen. Bipin Rawat told Parliament’s Standing Defense Committee today, even as tensions between India and China remain elevated following “provocative behavior by Chinese frontline troops” along the LAC. Control, which serves as a factor border between the two countries.
The meeting was attended – for the first time in this Lok Sabha – by Congressman Rahul Gandhi, who sharply criticized the government for its handling of the border conflict with China.
General Rawat told the committee that the armed forces have taken adequate steps and measures to thwart any attempt by China to further change or alter the status quo along the LAC.
The defense forces are vigilant and will give an appropriate response to the Chinese in the event of any mishap along the border, the general added.
General Rawat’s claim – he made similar comments earlier this month at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum – comes a day after Foreign Minister S Jaishankar met his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi on Thursday. , in Russia to defuse tensions after an outbreak of hostilities along the border.
The government said Jaishankar, among other issues, underlined “India’s strong concern over the gathering of Chinese troops, with equipment, along the LAC.”
After the meeting, a joint statement said India and China agreed to defuse border tensions and take steps to restore “peace and quiet.” The two sides, the statement added, also agreed that the situation was not in their best interests and that the troops should quickly disengage and ease tensions.
Wang added that he supported an enhanced dialogue between the troops to resolve “specific issues.”
The immediate task, “to prevent any untoward incident in the future,” is “to ensure full disengagement of troops in all areas of friction,” India told China, sources said.
Gandhi, meanwhile, who accused the government of hiding Chinese occupation of Indian territory and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “surrendering” to Chinese aggression, tweeted this evening.
“The only ‘discussion’ to be had with China is about restoring ‘Status Quo Ante’ from March 2020 (before the border crisis erupted). The Prime Minister and the government of India refuse to take responsibility for driving China out of our land. All the other “talk” is worthless, “he said.
“The Chinese have taken our land. When exactly does the Indian government plan to take it back? Or will that be left to an ‘act of God’ as well?” Mr Gandhi added.
In a new outbreak earlier this week, China accused India of crossing the LAC – along the southern shore of Lake Pangong in eastern Ladakh – and of firing warning shots in actions of provocation.
India said Chinese forces tried to move closer to its positions and fired shots into the air. The army said the Indian soldiers did not cross the LAC or use aggressive means, including fire.
China “has blatantly violated agreements and carried out aggressive maneuvers, while military, diplomatic and political engagement is ongoing,” India said.
The Indian Army and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) have been stuck in a stalemate along the LAC in eastern Ladakh since early May. The following month, 20 Indian soldiers died for their nation in a violent attack by Chinese forces in the Galwan region of eastern Ladakh.
(Courtesy NewsTube)
