Indian army inflicted heavy casualties on Chinese troops in Galwan clash: Rajnath tells Parliament

New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made statement on India-China border issue, in Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

Both India and China agree that to maintain peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas, it is essential for the further development of bilateral relations, said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on India-China border issue .

We have told China through diplomatic and channels that the attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo were in violation of the bilateral agreements, he added.

Troops are accordingly being provisioned with suitable clothing, habitat & required defence wherewithal. They are capable of serving at forbidding altitudes with scarce oxygen & in extremely cold temperatures, something that they’ve done over last many years on Siachen &Kargi: RM https://t.co/mK5SUvFtEi pic.twitter.com/vQBBP2fvPt

— ANI (@ANI) September 15, 2020

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Rajnath Singh said that India is prepared to handle any situation, for any eventuality. Pointing to the Galwan valley clash in Ladakh, he said that Indian soldiers have laid down their lives to ensure that Chinese designs are foiled.

“They also sent a very strong message by imposing heavy casualties on the Chinese PLA,” Singh said.

Troops are accordingly being provisioned with suitable clothing, habitat & required defence wherewithal. They are capable of serving at forbidding altitudes with scarce oxygen & in extremely cold temperatures, something that they’ve done over last many years on Siachen &Kargi, he added.

China continues to be in illegal occupation of approximately 38,000 sq. kms in Ladakh. In addition, under the so-called Sino-Pakistan ‘Boundary Agreement’ of 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 sq. km. of Indian territory in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir to China, said Defence Minister.

Making a Statement in the Lok Sabha https://t.co/WhKvacGV1L

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 15, 2020

The Monsoon session 2020 of Parliament began on Monday. The fourth session of 17th Lok Sabha and 252nd session of Rajya Sabha began on Monday and subject to exigencies of government business, may conclude on October 1.

India recently outflanked China by taking control of strategic heights near Pangong Lake’s southern bank. It thwarted an attempt by the Chinese soldiers to transgress into Indian areas near the southern bank of Pangong Tso near Chushul in Ladakh.

India and China have been engaged in a standoff since April-May over the transgressions by the Chinese Army in multiple areas including the Finger area, Galwan Valley, Hot springs and Kongrung Nala.