China’s Bid to ‘Change Status Quo’ on LAC Thwarted, says Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Rajnath Singh informed that China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops tried to transgress the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Yangtse area of Tawang sector in Arunachal Pradesh and change the status quo. But, Rajnath Singh said, the Chinese troops were sent back by the Indian soldiers.

The face-off between the Chinese and the Indian troops led the physical scuffle but no deaths were reported. In a statement in Rajya Sabha, Rajnath Singh said that “our forces are committed to protecting our territorial integrity and will continue to thwart any attempt made on it". The India-China clash along the LAC in Tawang sector took place amid over 30-month border standoff between the two sides in eastern Ladakh in August 2020, reported the indiatimes.

“The face-off led to a scuffle and the Indian Army bravely prevented the PLA troops from transgressing into our territory and compelled them to retreat… The scuffle led to injuries to a few personnel on both sides. There are no fatalities or serious injuries on our side,” he said.

Rajnath made identical statements in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. “The local commander (Indian side) of the area held a flag meeting with his Chinese counterpart yesterday to discuss the issue in accordance with the established mechanisms,” he said.

The Chinese side was asked to refrain from such actions and maintain peace and tranquillity along the border. “Our armed forces are committed to protecting Indian territorial integrity and will continue to thwart such attempts,” the minister assured the House. He said he was confident the entire House would stand united in supporting the Indian soldiers, he concluded.

The Opposition walked out alleging they were not allowed to say anything on the matter. In the Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla cited rules of the House saying no clarifications could be sought on sensitive matters. In the Rajya Sabha too, Deputy Chairman Harivansh refused permission to Opposition MPs to seek clarification on Rajnath’s statement.