Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday assured leaders of political parties that the Indian forces are in a high state of preparedness to overcome any challenge along the India-China border. He said this during the all-party meeting which was called by the central government to discuss the ongoing crisis in Ladakh.
At the beginning of the all-party meeting, Rajanth Singh briefed the leaders about the present situation on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). He also shared information about the nature of deployment of the India Army prior to and after the violent face-off in Galwan Valley in Ladakh.
On Monday, 20 Indian soldiers, including a colonel-rank officer, were killed in a violent face-off with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley.
Besides him, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also briefed the all-party meeting in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The government had called the all-party meeting to try and build a political consensus on India’s reaction to China’s recent actions along the LAC.
Earlier in the day, top sources had told India Today TV that the government is looking at build a “sense of the nation” consensus on the diplomatic and military initiatives the government has been working on.
They said the benchmark for the meet would be the prime minister’s statement at the virtual conference with chief ministers on the coronavirus crisis on Wednesday.
PM Modi had said India would not “compromise with its integrity and sovereignty” and will firmly defend its self-respect and every inch of land. The sacrifice of Indian soldiers will not go in vain.
He had added, “We have always worked closely with our neighbours in a cooperative and friendly manner…We never provoke anyone…Whenever the time has come, we have demonstrated our power, proving our capabilities in protecting the integrity and sovereignty of the country.”
To bring all political parties representing different regions, PM Modi had asked Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to speak to the heads of all parties. Soft-spoken Singh is one of the few leaders in ruling BJP who enjoy a cordial relationship with most political party leaders.
Singh on Thursday night spoke to all leaders including Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi and BSP’s Mayawati informing them about the need for consensus and the intent of the meet.