New Delhi: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday assured that not an inch of our land can be taken by any power in the world while he interacted with the Indian Army and ITBP personnel at Lukung.
Referring to the India-China border standoff, he said, “Talks are underway to resolve the border dispute but to what extent it can be resolved I cannot guarantee. I can assure you, not one inch of our land can be taken by any power in the world.” Emphasising on finding a diplomatic solution to the standoff, he further said, “If a solution can be found by talks, there is nothing better.”
जो कुछ भी अब तक बातचीत की प्रगति हुई है, उससे मामला हल होना चाहिए। कहाँ तक हल होगा इसकी गारंटी नहीं दे सकता। लेकिन इतना यक़ीन मैं ज़रूर दिलाना चाहता हूँ कि भारत की एक इंच ज़मीन भी दुनिया की कोई ताक़त छू नहीं सकती, उस पर कोई कब्ज़ा नहीं कर सकता। pic.twitter.com/RjLP3p1cpa
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 17, 2020
Defence Minister interacts with jawans including Bihar regiment
“Recently what happened between troops of India and China at PP14, how some of our personnel sacrificed their lives protecting our border. I am happy to meet you all but also saddened because of their loss. I pay my tributes to them,” he added.
Ladakh: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh interacts with Indian Army & ITBP personnel at Lukung, along with Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief General MM Naravane. pic.twitter.com/Q9bDjK7gI3
— ANI (@ANI) July 17, 2020
Singh interacted with the Army and Paramilitary troops here along with Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief General MM Naravane.
#WATCH Defence Minister Rajnath Singh interacts with Indian Army & Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel at Lukung, Ladakh. pic.twitter.com/Bo4fyIjWaR
— ANI (@ANI) July 17, 2020
Watch Out China, Indian Army conducts exercise in Leh
Earlier today, the Defence Minister witnessed para dropping and scoping weapons here. He also inspected a Pika machine gun.
Indian Army T-90 tanks and BMP infantry combat vehicles carried out the exercise at Stakna, Leh in presence of Singh, Chief of Defence Staff and Army Chief.
Defence Minister is on a two-day visit to Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. He will take stock of the situation at both the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the Line of Control (LOC).
India-China ties strained after latter’s transgression
While Pakistan constantly violates ceasefire from across the LoC, China has continued to intrude into Indian territory in Ladakh region in recent past, escalating tensions between India and its eastern neighbour.
On June 15, twenty Indian soldiers laid out their lives during combat with Chinese forces in Galwan valley, leading to tensions between both nations. Chinese soldiers subsequently started moving back following dialogues between two countries through the military level and diplomatic level.
Singh was accompanied by the Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief General MM Naravane. (ANI)