No outcome of talks with China: Rajnath
Says no ‘meaningful solution’ has come out of diplomatic and military level talks with China to resolve the LAC standoff in eastern Ladakh
NEW DELHI: Union defence minister on Wednesday said that no “meaningful solution” has come out of diplomatic and military level talks with China to resolve the standoff on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh and there is “status quo”.
In an exclusive interview with ANI Editor Smita Prakash, the Defence Minister said that if status quo continues, there cannot be a reduction in the deployment of troops.
Rajnath Singh referred to the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) meeting on IndiaChina Border Affairs (WMCC) held virtually earlier this month and said the next round of military talks can take place anytime.
“It is true that in order to reduce the standoff between India and China, talks were taking place on a military and diplomatic level. But no success has been achieved so far. There will be a next round of talks on a military level which can take place anytime. But no meaningful outcome has come and there is status quo,” he said.
“If there is status quo, it is natural how deployment can be reduced. There will be no reduction in our deployment and I fell their deployment will also not come down. I don’t think that status-quo is a positive development at all. Talks are on and they result in a positive outcome, that is our expectation,” he added.
He said hotline messages have been exchanged.
“On what issues talks will be held, an exchange of messages is taking place between the two countries,” he said.
The External Affairs had said after the WMCC meeting on December 18 that both sides agreed to maintain close consultations at the diplomatic and military level.
It said they agreed that the next (9th) round of Senior Commanders meeting should be held at an early date so that both sides can work towards early and complete disengagement of troops along the LAC in accordance with the existing bilateral agreements and protocols, and fully restore peace and tranquility.
Singh further said that India has the capability to hit terrorist targets across the border if the need arises and noted that Pakistan has been indulging in notorious actions along the border since its creation.
In an exclusive interview with ANI, the minister said Pakistan has been resorting to 300400 ceasefire violations in a few months but the Army gives a befitting reply.
“Ever since its existence, Pakistan has been indulging in notorious actions along the border,” he said.
The minister said the troops were working to eradicate terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The country’s soldiers have proved that not only this side, but to eliminate terrorism they can go to the other side and attack terrorist hideouts if the need arises. India has that capability, that power,” he said.
India had carried out surgical strike on terror launch pads across the border in 2016 after Uri terror attack. It had carried out an aerial strike on terror camp in Balakot in 2019 following terror attack
Pulwama.
The minister had slammed Pakistan during the graduation parade at Airforce Academy in Dundigal earlier this month and said that the neighbouring country has continued with its “nefarious acts” on the border, even after losing four wars.