In a stern message to China amid tension on the borders in eastern Ladakh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that those who cast an evil eye on Indian soil had received a befitting reply and that while India sought peace, it could look the adversary in the eye and respond adequately to protect its sovereignty.
Speaking on military tensions with China and the brutal clash in Galwan Valley which claimed the lives of 20 Indian soldiers and an unspecified number of Chinese troops, Modi said, "India honours the spirit of friendship… she is also capable of giving an appropriate response to any adversary, without shying away. Our brave soldiers have proven they will not let anyone cast an evil eye on the glory and honour of Mother India."
PM Modi paid tributes to the soldiers who died and said the country was one with the families who lost their loved ones. He pointed to the pride of families that the soldiers had died in the service of the nation and said, "Their sentiment for the country constitutes the true power, the might of the country. You may have seen parents of martyrs referring to sending other sons, other young family members too, to join the Army," he added.
Modi said a resolve to make India self-reliant would be a fitting tribute to the fallen martyrs. Rajniji has written to me from Assam. She says after watching what happened in eastern Ladakh, she has taken a vow… and the vow is that she will buy only ‘local’. And for the sake of ‘local’, she will also be vocal," he said, adding that he had received several such messages from every corner of the country. "Similarly, Mohan Ramamurthy from Madurai writes that he wishes India to be self-reliant in the defence sector," he said.
Images show China expanded helipad near LAC
At a time when escalated border tensions near Ladakh have led to build-up by defence forces of India and China, fresh satellite images show that China has expanded its heliport located 21.3 km north east from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Pangong Tso area. The images show that no new heliport has been constructed.
Defence experts, however, said that India with two helipads closer to LAC has more advantage. The two Indian helipads built in 2017 are right next to Finger 4 where an ITBP camp is positioned. The twin helipads stand next to each other, three km west of foxhole point at the base of Finger 4.
Continuation of current situation will vitiate ties, India tells China
A day after Indian and Chinese diplomats agreed to “sincerely implement the understanding on disengagement and de-escalation” along the Line of Actual Control, New Delhi drew the red line , saying “continuation of the current situation would only vitiate the atmosphere for the development of the relationship” between the two countries.
Amid reports of satellite images showing Chinese structures back at the site of the June 15 clash in Galwan Valley and massing of PLA troops in the Depsang plains, Anurag Srivastava, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, said “both sides remain deployed in large numbers in the region” of the Galwan Valley “while military and diplomatic contacts are continuing”.
In a strongly-worded statement, Srivastava said “at the heart of the matter is that since early May, the Chinese side has been amassing a large contingent of troops and armaments along the LAC”. Underlining that this is “not in accordance” with the pacts since 1993, he said: “Obviously, the Indian side had to undertake counter deployments and the resulting tension has thereafter expressed itself.”
On June 20, the Prime Minister’s Office had said “Chinese forces have come in much larger strength to the LAC and that the Indian response is commensurate”. The MEA also hit out at obstruction of Indian patrolling by Chinese troops in “complete disregard” to all mutually agreed norms.
“The deployment of a large body of troops and changes in behaviour has also been aggravated by unjustified and untenable claims. The recent shift in the Chinese position on the Galwan Valley is one example,” Srivastava said, referring to Beijing’s claim to Galwan Valley.
Responding to queries, Srivastava, reading from a statement, said: “In early May, the Chinese side had taken action to hinder India's normal, traditional patrolling pattern in the Galwan Valley area. The resulting face-off was addressed by the ground commanders as per the provisions of the bilateral agreements and protocols. In mid-May, the Chinese side sought to change the status quo in other areas of the Western Sector.”
Govt warns China of ‘consequences’
India warned China that failure to implement the disengagement understanding on the LAC in eastern Ladakh would have consequences as a continuation of the current situation would have a negative impact on development of the bilateral relationship.
In a lengthy statement, the ministry of external affairs indicated that the ground situation along the LAC could not linger on indefinitely and said, “We expect the Chinese side to sincerely follow up on this understanding and ensure expeditious restoration of peace and tranquillity in border areas. A continuation of the current situation would only vitiate the atmosphere for development of the relationship.
“At the heart of the matter is that since early May, the Chinese side has been amassing a large contingent of troops and armaments along the LAC. This is not in accordance with the provisions of our various bilateral agreements.” In what might be the sharpest criticism of Chinese behaviour in the past few weeks, MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, “The conduct of Chinese forces this year has been in complete disregard of all mutually agreed norms. It is a reasonable expectation that patrols will not be obstructed in the discharge of their legitimate duties.”
