India-China: Rajnath Singh addresses parliament on the border row
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today addressed parliament on the border tension with China. He said India is "very serious about issues of sovereignty" and the country is "prepared for all outcomes" to ensure that it is maintained. The government's statement comes amid repeated transgressions by Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh's Pangong Lake and several other areas since April. On June 15, 20 Indian soldiers were killed in the line of duty - a first in more than four decades.
Here are five key quotes from Rajnath Singh's address:
India remains committed to resolving the current issues in our border areas through peaceful dialogue and consultations. The Chinese actions reflect a disregard of our various bilateral agreements. The amassing of the troops by China goes against the 1993 and 1996 Agreements.
The violent conduct of Chinese forces has been in complete violation of all mutually agreed norms. The Chinese side has mobilized a large number of troops and armaments along the LAC (Line of Actual Control) as well as in the depth areas. There are several friction areas in eastern Ladakh, including Gogra, Kongka La and north and south banks of Pangong Lake.
Our government too has stepped up the budget for border infrastructure development to about double the previous levels. The morale and motivation of our armed Forces are very high. They are capable of serving at forbidding altitudes with scarce oxygen and in extremely cold temperatures, something that they have effortlessly done over the last many years in Siachen and Kargil.
China continues to be in illegal occupation of approximately 38,000 sqkm in the Union Territory of Ladakh. There is no commonly delineated Line of Actual Control in the border areas between India and China and there is no common perception of the entire LAC. In late 1990s and up to 2003, the two sides engaged in an exercise to clarify and confirm the LAC. But thereafter, the Chinese side did not show a willingness to pursue the LAC clarification exercise.
In early May, the Chinese side had taken action to hinder the normal, traditional patrolling pattern of our troops in the Galwan valley area, which resulted in a face-off. In mid-May, the Chinese side made several attempts to transgress the LAC in other parts of the western sector. This included Kongka La, Gogra and north bank of Pangong Lake. While no one should doubt our determination to safeguard our borders, India believes that mutual respect and mutual sensitivity are the basis for peaceful relations with neighbours.
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