Modi: India is hurt and angry
NO TERRITORY LOST TO CHINA, PM SAYS AMID CONGRESS CRITICISM
India’s prime minister yesterday said that the entire country is “hurt and angry” at the killing of 20 soldiers by Chinese forces in a disputed Himalayan border region, while denying assertions that any Indian territory had been lost.
Addressing an all-party meeting, Narendra Modi said that “the country today has such capability that no one can even dare look towards an inch of our land”.
The country today has such capability that no one can even dare look towards an inch of our land.”
Narendra Modi | Indian PM
He underscored that India wants peace and friendship, but upholding sovereignty is foremost.
Sonia Gandhi, the main opposition Congress party chief, earlier questioned whether intelligence failures had allowed China to build up forces in the Galwan Valley and called for tough action in getting China to leave Indian territory.
“We are still in the dark about many crucial aspects of the crisis,” she said.
Media reports said yesterday that China freed 10 Indian soldiers seized in Monday’s clash, the deadliest conflict in 53 years, which India and China accuse each other of instigating.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met yesterday with top opposition leaders who questioned whether intelligence failures allowed China to build up its forces in disputed Himalayan territory ahead of a clash that killed 20 Indian soldiers.
Sonia Gandhi, the main opposition Congress party chief, called for answers as well as tough government action in defending Indian territory.
“We are still in the dark about many crucial aspects of the crisis,” she said.
Her party earlier released a statement that said India “deserves a leadership that is willing to do anything before allowing its land to be taken”.
China yesterday maintained its position that India is to blame for the clash.
“The right and wrong is very clear and the responsibility lies entirely with the Indian side,’’ Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said. Both India and China have denied media reports that Indian soldiers were in Chinese custody.
During Monday’s clash soldiers brawled with clubs, rocks and their fists in the thin air at 4,270 metres above sea level, but no shots were fired, Indian officials have said.
Uneasy truce
The action has taken place along a remote stretch of the 3,380-kilometer Line of Actual Control — the border established following a war between India and China in 1962 that resulted in an uneasy truce.
The rules of engagement along the Line of Actual Control — which prohibit using live ammunition but also ban physical contact between soldiers—will have to be renegotiated, defence analyst Rahul
Bedi said.
In yesterday’s meeting with the prime minister, Sonia Gandhi said the “entire country” would like assurances that China will move its forces back to the Line of Actual Control”.
Telangana Chief Minister and
Telangana Rashtra Samiti chief K Chandrasekhar Rao, Biju Janata Dal and Sikkim Kranti Morcha accused the Congress of trying to create differences.
However, Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao cautioned against any hasty action following clashes
on the border but said there should be no compromise on the country’s interests.
DMK president M.K. Stalin asserted that his party stands firmly with the prime minister in respect of protecting the integrity and sovereignty of India.
We are still in the dark about many crucial aspects of the crisis… entire country would like assurances that China will move its forces back to Line of Actual Control.”
Sonia Gandhi | Congress party chief
Today, we possess the capability that no one can eye even one inch of our land. India’s armed forces have the capability to move into multiple sectors at one go.”
Narendra Modi | Prime minister
‘Not the time for politics’
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati appreciated the detailed presentation by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The source said she stressed appropriate measures on the trade and investment front to counter China. “She said this is not the time for politics and she firmly stands with PM Modi on whatever decisions he takes,” a source said.
Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal-United chief Nitish Kumar said that there is nationwide anger against China.