Responding to the Congress statement in the Lok Sabha that there was a Chinese encroachment on July 6, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said India and China are respecting bilateral pacts to maintain peace and tranquility on the border though at times “apriya halat” (unpleasant situation) do take place along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) .
The Defence Minister was responding to Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan who had raised the issue of Chinese troops “entering over six km in Demchok” in Ladakh this month saying they also planted their flags in the Indian territory.
Rajnath assured that not only along the LAC but all borders in the country were secure and allayed Opposition concern over the alleged border encroachment by the Chinese troops.
Making a statement on the prevailing situation along the India-Chinese border, Rajnath said there is complete restraint by armed forces of India and China at Doklam following months long stand-off between them in 2017. While saying to he said “kabhi-kabhi apriya halaat” do crop up along the border but several mechanisms are in place to iron out issues.
The Defence Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping had an informal summit meeting at Wuhan where it was decided that peace and tranquility will be maintained at the border.
The Defence Minister wondered as to why the Congress leader raised the issue in the House and asserted that the Union Government is very much aware of the situation on India’s border and periodically reviews it.
The Government has focused on building infrastructure, like tunnels, roads, railway lines and air fields, along the Indo-China border, he said.
Both Governments, the Defence Minister said, periodically engage at different levels, including meetings between their National Security Advisors and join-secretary-rank officials, he said.
Following the Wuhan meeting, they have also issued strategic guidance to their armies, he said.
“India and China are respecting bilateral pacts to ensure peace and tranquillity along border,” he said.
Peace has mostly prevailed along the border but differences in the two countries’ perceptions about the position of the LAC have caused unsavoury incidents at times, he said. It has been happening since 1962, he said, referring to the Indo-China war.
Meanwhile, Biju Janta Dal leader B Mehtab in a statement stressed on the need to back the government on the issue and also its foreign policy. The House should extend full support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in one voice, he said.