We stand firm, says Rajnath as China’s PLA delays talks
NEW DELHI: As the Indian Army and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) prepare to hold their next round of military dialogue to reduce friction along the contested Line of Actual Control (LAC), defence minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said that talks with China for peaceful resolution of the border crisis would continue even as Indian troops are “standing firm” in forward areas.
The eighth round of military talks has been delayed, with the PLA yet to confirm dates for the dialogue, officials said. India was hoping for the talks to take place last week but there is no indication from the Chinese side on a possible date yet, they said.
Addressing the army’s top leadership during the ongoing army commanders’ conference, Singh said India’s soldiers would be equipped with the best weapons and gear to carry out their duties.
“It is our national responsibility to ensure availability of best weapons, equipment and clothing to our troops braving extreme weather and hostile forces to defend our territorial integrity,” a statement issued by the army quoted Singh as saying.
The situation in the eastern Ladakh theatre, where the army is preparing for a long haul, was discussed during the conference chaired by army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane.
Indian and Chinese military commanders met for the seventh time on October 12 in their latest attempt to defuse tensions. The Indian side demanded comprehensive disengagement at all flashpoints and restoration of status quo ante of early April during the talks. The two sides agreed to continue with the dialogue process to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution for early disengagement in the eastern Ladakh theatre, said a joint press statement issued a day after the talks.
In his address at the biannual conference, Singh complimented the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for its efforts to build infrastructure in forward areas and working under difficult conditions to connect farflung areas.
“The Indian Army’s apex leadership is comprehensively deliberating upon all aspects of existing security scenarios, situation along the borders and in the hinterland and challenges for the present security apparatus. In addition, the conference is also focussing on issues pertaining to organisational restructuring, logistics, administration and human resource management,” the army statement said. The four-day conference ends on Thursday.
The statement said Singh reiterated the stellar role played by the army in guarding the country’s borders and fighting terrorism, apart from providing assistance to the civil administration whenever needed. “Actions of Indian Army truly ensure the integrity and sovereignty of our great nation,” the statement quoted the minister as saying.
The minister also paid tributes to the brave soldiers of Galwan, Kashmir and the North-East for making the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of the nation.
Singh said that the creation of the chief of defence staff and the department of military affairs was a “momentous decision” and the concept of integrated battle groups and theatre commands would be “game changers in the way Indian armed forces fight future wars”.