Forces strong enough to meet any challenge: Jaitley Dalai Lama invokes ‘Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai’

Amid the border standoff with China, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley (in picture) on Wednesday said the Indian armed forces are strong enough to meet any challenge to the country’s security as he underlined that lessons have been learnt from the 1962 war.

He also said in the Rajya Sabha that the people of the country have a predominant wish of retrieving the parts of Jammu and Kashmir occupied by Pakistan since 1948.

Jaitley, while initiating a special debate to mark the 75th anniversary of Quit India Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1942, said India had faced many challenges over these decades but “we can proudly say the country became stronger with each challenge”.

He said India had “learnt a lesson” from the 1962 war with China that “the armed forces will have be made fully capable on our own because even today the nation faces challenges from our neighbouring countries.” Compared to 1962, the armed forces were made stronger in 1965 and 1971 wars, Jaitley said.

In 1962, India had to face a war imposed by China and suffer severe reverses. However, in the wars of 1965 and 1971 thrust by Pakistan, India had emerged victorious.

“I agree that some challenges are still there. Some people are targeting our country's sovereignty and integrity. But I am fully confident that our brave soldiers have capabilty to keep our country secure, may it be challenges on the eastern border or the western border,” he said.

“The armed forces can give any kind of sacrifice for the security of the nation,” the defence minister asserted.

Jaitley’s message assumes significance as it comes amid a two-month-long border standoff with China in Doklam even though he did not specifically mention it. Describing the ongoing Doklam stand-off as “not very serious”, the Dalai Lama on Wednesday invoked “Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai”, a catch phrase that defined Sino-India ties in the 1950s, stressing that the two neighbours have to live side by side in peace. Asserting that any problem has to be resolved through talks, the 81-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader said the theme of 21st century should be dialogue.

“That’s the only way. One side’s retreat and defeat is an oldtime thinking. In modern times, every country is dependent on each other. Destruction of neighbour is destruction of yourself,” he said, speaking at the Rajendra Mathur Memorial Lecture organised by the Editors Guild of India in New Delhi.

The spiritual leader, who calls himself a “chela” (disciple) of India, also needled China saying he can do more in India, which has freedom. “Where there is no freedom, I don’t like”.

“There is some tension, but I do not think it is very serious. We need to make distinction between people and governments. The other day, I mentioned that Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai is the only way. India and China have to live side by side,” the Dalai Lama said, even as he added that “propaganda and wrong information make things complicated”.

He also referred to the occupation of parts of J&K by Pakistan soon after the Independence.

“Initially (after Independence), we faced a crisis. Our neighbour had an eye on Kashmir. Even today, we cannot forget that a part of the country has got separated. It is a wish of every Indian today as to how to retrieve that part,” the minister said.

Jaitley, who is Leader of the Rajya Sabha, said today was the day to commit to make India a strong, just and economically-progressive country. He underlined the need for freeeing the country from all kinds of violence, be it in the name terrorism, politics or religion. Jaitley said the country is facing a bigger challenge from terrorism and Left-wing extremism.