News Analysis India

Tag: India China ties

  • Ladakh airfield to get upgrade for fighter aircraft ops amid reports of China’s infra works

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Amid reports of China building new military infrastructure on its side, India is soon going to begin the construction work for upgrading its Nyoma advanced landing ground for fighter aircraft operations less than 50 kilometres from the LAC in eastern Ladakh, said Indian Army officials on Thursday.

    The Nyoma airfield has been used for the transportation of men and materiel during the ongoing stand-off with China and has seen operations of Chinook heavy-lift choppers and C-130J Special Operations aircraft.

    “The ALG is going to be soon upgraded for fighter aircraft operations as most of the required clearances and approvals have come already. As per plans, the construction of the new airfield and the military infrastructure would be done by the Border Roads Organisation,” senior defence officials told ANI.

    The capability of operating fighter aircraft from this area would strengthen the Air Force’s ability to tackle any misadventures by the adversary in a faster way.

    The inauguration of the construction work is expected to begin soon in the eastern Ladakh sector after the clearances by the Modi government in the area, they said.

    READ HERE | Situation has not returned to normal: MEA on eastern Ladakh border row

    India has been considering multiple options for developing airfields in eastern Ladakh including Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO), Fukche and Nyoma which are at a distance of a few minutes from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.

    The Nyoma Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) has seen operations of the Apache attack helicopters, Chinook heavy-lift helicopters and the Garud special forces operations from Mi-17 helicopters.

    Recently, IAF Group Captain Ajay Rathi explained the importance of having an advanced landing ground such as Nyoma.

    “Nyoma ALG has strategic importance due to its close proximity to the Line of Actual Control. It bridges the critical gap between Leh airfield and the LAC enabling quick movement of men and material in eastern Ladakh, overcoming terrain friction,” Rathi had said.

    The Nyoma airbase Chief Operations Officer said the ALG will “further help in quicker access to the heights and sustenance operations thereafter. The air operations infrastructure at Nyoma enhances the operations capability of forces.”

    ALSO READ | India had ‘very difficult’ two-and-a-half-years in its ties with China: Jaishankar

    The Air Force also has deployed the Igla man-portable air defence missiles to tackle any aerial incursion by any adversary aircraft.

    The Indian Air Force has been regularly deploying fighter aircraft including the Rafale and MiG-29s to carry out operations in eastern Ladakh where there has been disengagement of troops at multiple locations

    The Chinese have been amassing troops since 2020 and carried out aggression in the garb of an exercise after which the Indian security forces retaliated in equal measure and checked the Chinese aggression there.

    The Indian Air Force is also continuing to maintain its assets in Leh along with a massive upgrade of capabilities in the area.

    NEW DELHI: Amid reports of China building new military infrastructure on its side, India is soon going to begin the construction work for upgrading its Nyoma advanced landing ground for fighter aircraft operations less than 50 kilometres from the LAC in eastern Ladakh, said Indian Army officials on Thursday.

    The Nyoma airfield has been used for the transportation of men and materiel during the ongoing stand-off with China and has seen operations of Chinook heavy-lift choppers and C-130J Special Operations aircraft.

    “The ALG is going to be soon upgraded for fighter aircraft operations as most of the required clearances and approvals have come already. As per plans, the construction of the new airfield and the military infrastructure would be done by the Border Roads Organisation,” senior defence officials told ANI.

    The capability of operating fighter aircraft from this area would strengthen the Air Force’s ability to tackle any misadventures by the adversary in a faster way.

    The inauguration of the construction work is expected to begin soon in the eastern Ladakh sector after the clearances by the Modi government in the area, they said.

    READ HERE | Situation has not returned to normal: MEA on eastern Ladakh border row

    India has been considering multiple options for developing airfields in eastern Ladakh including Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO), Fukche and Nyoma which are at a distance of a few minutes from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.

    The Nyoma Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) has seen operations of the Apache attack helicopters, Chinook heavy-lift helicopters and the Garud special forces operations from Mi-17 helicopters.

    Recently, IAF Group Captain Ajay Rathi explained the importance of having an advanced landing ground such as Nyoma.

    “Nyoma ALG has strategic importance due to its close proximity to the Line of Actual Control. It bridges the critical gap between Leh airfield and the LAC enabling quick movement of men and material in eastern Ladakh, overcoming terrain friction,” Rathi had said.

    The Nyoma airbase Chief Operations Officer said the ALG will “further help in quicker access to the heights and sustenance operations thereafter. The air operations infrastructure at Nyoma enhances the operations capability of forces.”

    ALSO READ | India had ‘very difficult’ two-and-a-half-years in its ties with China: Jaishankar

    The Air Force also has deployed the Igla man-portable air defence missiles to tackle any aerial incursion by any adversary aircraft.

    The Indian Air Force has been regularly deploying fighter aircraft including the Rafale and MiG-29s to carry out operations in eastern Ladakh where there has been disengagement of troops at multiple locations

    The Chinese have been amassing troops since 2020 and carried out aggression in the garb of an exercise after which the Indian security forces retaliated in equal measure and checked the Chinese aggression there.

    The Indian Air Force is also continuing to maintain its assets in Leh along with a massive upgrade of capabilities in the area.

  • China, India maintain ‘smooth’ communication over border issue: Chinese Foreign Ministry

    By ANI

    BEIJING: China and India maintained smooth communication over the border standoff and the dialogue is effective, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Friday.

    This comment comes in the wake of the 16th round India- China Corps Commander Level Meeting was held at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Indian side last month.

    “China and India maintain smooth communication over the boundary question. And our dialogue is effective,” the Chinese foreign ministry said in response to a question over disengagement at the border on the remaining friction points.

    Building on the progress made at the last meeting on March 11, 2022, in the 16th round India- China Corps Commander Level Meeting, the two sides continued discussions for the resolution of the relevant issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector in a constructive and forward-looking manner.

    They had a frank and in-depth exchange of views in this regard, in keeping with the guidance provided by the State Leaders to work for the resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest.

    The two sides reaffirmed that the resolution of the remaining issues would help in the restoration of peace and tranquility along the LAC in the Western Sector and enable progress in bilateral relations.

    In the interim, the two sides agreed to maintain the security and stability on the ground in the Western Sector. The two sides agreed to stay in close contact and maintain dialogue through military and diplomatic channels and work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest.

    The 15th round China-India Corps Commander-Level Meeting was held on March 11 this year. During the meeting, the two sides carried forward their discussions from the previous round held on January 12 this year for the resolution of the relevant issues along the LAC in the Western Sector.

    They had a detailed exchange of views in keeping with the guidance provided by the State Leaders to work for the resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest.

    They reaffirmed that such a resolution would help restore peace and tranquility along the LAC in the Western Sector and facilitate progress in bilateral relations.

    The two sides also agreed to maintain the security and stability on the ground in the Western Sector in the interim. They agreed to maintain dialogue via military and diplomatic channels to reach a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest.

    India and China have been engaged in a standoff since April-May 2020 over the transgressions by the Chinese Army in multiple areas including the Finger area, Galwan Valley, Hot springs, and Kongrung Nala. The situation worsened after violent clashes with Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in June 2020.

    The talks have led to disengagement from some areas including the North and South Banks of Pangong Tso and Galwan but some friction points remain. 

    BEIJING: China and India maintained smooth communication over the border standoff and the dialogue is effective, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Friday.

    This comment comes in the wake of the 16th round India- China Corps Commander Level Meeting was held at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Indian side last month.

    “China and India maintain smooth communication over the boundary question. And our dialogue is effective,” the Chinese foreign ministry said in response to a question over disengagement at the border on the remaining friction points.

    Building on the progress made at the last meeting on March 11, 2022, in the 16th round India- China Corps Commander Level Meeting, the two sides continued discussions for the resolution of the relevant issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector in a constructive and forward-looking manner.

    They had a frank and in-depth exchange of views in this regard, in keeping with the guidance provided by the State Leaders to work for the resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest.

    The two sides reaffirmed that the resolution of the remaining issues would help in the restoration of peace and tranquility along the LAC in the Western Sector and enable progress in bilateral relations.

    In the interim, the two sides agreed to maintain the security and stability on the ground in the Western Sector. The two sides agreed to stay in close contact and maintain dialogue through military and diplomatic channels and work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest.

    The 15th round China-India Corps Commander-Level Meeting was held on March 11 this year. During the meeting, the two sides carried forward their discussions from the previous round held on January 12 this year for the resolution of the relevant issues along the LAC in the Western Sector.

    They had a detailed exchange of views in keeping with the guidance provided by the State Leaders to work for the resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest.

    They reaffirmed that such a resolution would help restore peace and tranquility along the LAC in the Western Sector and facilitate progress in bilateral relations.

    The two sides also agreed to maintain the security and stability on the ground in the Western Sector in the interim. They agreed to maintain dialogue via military and diplomatic channels to reach a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest.

    India and China have been engaged in a standoff since April-May 2020 over the transgressions by the Chinese Army in multiple areas including the Finger area, Galwan Valley, Hot springs, and Kongrung Nala. The situation worsened after violent clashes with Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in June 2020.

    The talks have led to disengagement from some areas including the North and South Banks of Pangong Tso and Galwan but some friction points remain. 

  • Not seeking independence for Tibet, want meaningful autonomy: Dalai Lama in Ladakh

    By ANI

    JAMMU: Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Friday said that India and China must solve the border dispute through talks and peaceful means.

    The remarks by the Dalai Lama come ahead of the 16th round of Corps Commander-level meetings between India and China, expected to start on July 17, in the backdrop of a stand-off between the two countries along the Line of Actual Control in the eastern Ladakh sector and the Galwan clashes of 2020.

    The 14th Dalai Lama on Friday left for Ladakh after a stopover in Jammu where he had arrived on Thursday from his base in Dharamshala.

    “India and China are both competitive nations and neighbours, sooner or later you have to solve this problem through talks and peaceful means. The use of military force is outdated,” the Dalai Lama told ANI.

    Earlier talking to reporters in Jammu yesterday, the 87-year-old spiritual leader said that the majority of people in China realize that he is not seeking independence within China but meaningful autonomy and preservation of Tibetan Buddhist culture.

    “Not Chinese people, but some Chinese hardliners consider me a separatist. Now, more and more Chinese are realising that Dalai Lama not seeking independence but within China meaningful autonomy and to preserve Tibetan Buddhist culture,” the Dalai Lama said.

    The Tibetan spiritual leader was responding to a question on China objecting to his visit to Ladakh.

    The Dalai Lama also said that more and more Chinese are showing interest in Tibetan Buddhism. “Some of the Chinese scholars have realized that Tibetan Buddhism is truly knowledge and tradition and a very scientific religion.”

    The Tibetan spiritual leader is on a two-day official visit to Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory Ladakh. This is the first official tour of the Dalai Lama outside his base in Dharamshala since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The visit also marks his first visit to the region since the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

    The spiritual leader’s trip is likely to irk China as Beijing had recently criticized Prime Minister Modi, for extending wishes to the Dalai Lama on his 87th birthday, stating that India should stop using Tibet-related issues to interfere in China’s internal affairs. The External Affairs Ministry had slammed China’s criticism and said that it has been a consistent policy of the government to treat the Dalai Lama as a guest in India.

    Meanwhile, India and China have been engaged in a standoff since April-May 2020 over the transgressions by the Chinese Army in multiple areas including the Finger area, Galwan Valley, Hot springs, and Kongrung Nala. The situation worsened after violent clashes with Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in June 2020.

    JAMMU: Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Friday said that India and China must solve the border dispute through talks and peaceful means.

    The remarks by the Dalai Lama come ahead of the 16th round of Corps Commander-level meetings between India and China, expected to start on July 17, in the backdrop of a stand-off between the two countries along the Line of Actual Control in the eastern Ladakh sector and the Galwan clashes of 2020.

    The 14th Dalai Lama on Friday left for Ladakh after a stopover in Jammu where he had arrived on Thursday from his base in Dharamshala.

    “India and China are both competitive nations and neighbours, sooner or later you have to solve this problem through talks and peaceful means. The use of military force is outdated,” the Dalai Lama told ANI.

    Earlier talking to reporters in Jammu yesterday, the 87-year-old spiritual leader said that the majority of people in China realize that he is not seeking independence within China but meaningful autonomy and preservation of Tibetan Buddhist culture.

    “Not Chinese people, but some Chinese hardliners consider me a separatist. Now, more and more Chinese are realising that Dalai Lama not seeking independence but within China meaningful autonomy and to preserve Tibetan Buddhist culture,” the Dalai Lama said.

    The Tibetan spiritual leader was responding to a question on China objecting to his visit to Ladakh.

    The Dalai Lama also said that more and more Chinese are showing interest in Tibetan Buddhism. “Some of the Chinese scholars have realized that Tibetan Buddhism is truly knowledge and tradition and a very scientific religion.”

    The Tibetan spiritual leader is on a two-day official visit to Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory Ladakh. This is the first official tour of the Dalai Lama outside his base in Dharamshala since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The visit also marks his first visit to the region since the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

    The spiritual leader’s trip is likely to irk China as Beijing had recently criticized Prime Minister Modi, for extending wishes to the Dalai Lama on his 87th birthday, stating that India should stop using Tibet-related issues to interfere in China’s internal affairs. The External Affairs Ministry had slammed China’s criticism and said that it has been a consistent policy of the government to treat the Dalai Lama as a guest in India.

    Meanwhile, India and China have been engaged in a standoff since April-May 2020 over the transgressions by the Chinese Army in multiple areas including the Finger area, Galwan Valley, Hot springs, and Kongrung Nala. The situation worsened after violent clashes with Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in June 2020.

  • Indian Ocean witnesses great power rivalry, basing facilities to China complicates it further: Vice Chief Navy

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: While the Indian Ocean region has become vulnerable to new unconventional threats and is witnessing great power rivalry, the basing facilities acquired by China in the region have further complicated the situation, says Indian Navy’s Vice Chief.

    Vice Admiral SN Ghormade said on Saturday, “Indian Ocean Region is witnessing the great power rivalry and situation has been complicated with China having been provided basing facilities at Djibouti, Pakistan, Sri lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar.”

    The Vice Chief was speaking on leveraging the military powers at the first Indraprastha Grand Strategy Conference by New Delhi based think tank Indian futures.

    What has added to the vulnerabilities are piracy, gun running, drug trafficking, illegal immigration, pollution, port security, smuggling, international terrorism, and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction added Vice Admiral Ghormade.  

    Speaking on the roles, hard power and soft power of the maritime forces Ghormade pointed to the increased freedom of navigation operations in the south China Sea. “Naval forces can be effectively utilized for political signaling and posturing. The increase in freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea by the US Navy and its allies is an apt example.”

    There are various risks at sea as. “Non-adherence to rules based on international order and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, maritime militia, quest for hydrocarbons, and competing EEZ Claims have a risk of manifesting into flashpoints and causing instability.”

    The Vice Chief pointed out that China’s enhanced capabilities in the domain of space and cyber will increase its battle space transparency and provide information dominance.

    In the Indian Ocean region resources are likely to be a primary driver for contested maritime claims that could lead to conflict. Pressures of population, regional interference, ethnic strife, scarce natural resources, border disputes and weak littoral governments are likely to contribute to instability in the region.

    As per Vice Chief, well being, economic prosperity and the nation is the unstated Grand Strategy.

    Leveraging Military power is one of the most important traits of the apex leadership and dimension of statecraft. “Military power is not only leveraged for military crises but for various other contingencies such as Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) Efforts, Evacuation of Indian Diaspora and assistance required to civilian authorities.” he said.

    Sea power is a facilitator of Economic power, he said. “We must remember the 70, 80, 90 rule. &0 percent of the ocean surface is ocean surface, 80 percent of the world population lives within 200 kilometer distance from the oceans and 90 percent of Global Trade touches ocean at one point or the other and 100 percent of global information traffic passes through ocean,” Ghormade said.

    Safe and Secure maritime environment is prerequisite to nurture our strategic interests and strong armed force is requisite for peace and stability

    Highlighting the soft power and benign role of the Indian Navy the Vice Chief of Naval Staff said, “during the first break of pandemic operation Samudra Setu was launched to provide medical succor and repatriate citizens in the pandemic. Ships traversed 23000 km to evacuate 3993 Indians.”

    “In end April Second wave put tremendous pressure on medical infra thus operation Samudra Setu-II was launched to augment mission for meeting Oxygen Requirement. 10 ships transported 1150 Metric tons of medical equipment and good including the Oxygen Cylinders, Empty cylinders, Oxymeters, concentrators, brought from across the expanse of Indian Ocean was resounding success.” he added. 

  • China has no right to interfere with reincarnation process of Dalai Lama: Tawang Monastery head lama

    Express News Service

    TAWANG: Debunking the Communist China’s endeavour to select the successor of the 14th Dalai Lama, the head lama of the important Tawang Monastery said that China has no right to meddle with the process as China does not believe in religion.

    Gyangbung Rinpoche, the Abbot (Head Lama) of the monastery during his interaction with a select group of journalists visiting Tawang Monastery, added that China is creating disputes along the Indian borders as it sees India as a challenge.

    “China which does not believe in religion, has no right to interfere in the religious affairs of ours. China is searching for the successor of 14th Dalai Lama for which only the Dalai Lama has the right. China is trying to politicise this issue and wants to destroy our religion. In this regard, we want India’s support along with other world powers. For this the support of the Indian government is very important,” Rinpoche said.

    Tawang Monastery is the second most important monastery for the Tibetans, after the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, as the 6th Dalai Lama was born in Tawang which China has been claiming as the portion of Tibet.

    The Tawang monastery is also known as Gaden Namgyal Lhatse in Tibetan meaning ‘celestial paradise in a clear night’ was founded by Merak Lama in 1680-1681 has its effect all over the world. China has adopted an incremental approach in increasing its influence over Tibet and the religious institutions there.

    Calling the Chinese approach not good for it and for the world, Rinpoche said, “The right to find the 15th Dalai Lama is with the Dalai Lama, Tibetan and Himalayan people.” The first Dalai Lama, who is considered as the living reincarnate of Buddha was born in 1391.

    The abbot praised India for its peaceful approach but said it may not work with China which wants to establish its supremacy. “China always tries to control the world, which is totally impossible in the 21st century. It wants to become the superpower in the world. To gain control in Asia, China sees India as a challenge so it wants to overpower India. This is the reason why it is creating unnecessary disputes in India’s Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh,” he said.

    He also asked India to take stern steps as and when required in dealing with China. “It is good that India wants to stay with peace and tranquillity with the neighbouring country but at the same time it should also harden its approach in dealing with China in such a scenario,” he said.

    There is ensuing tension between India and China since it moved its troops along the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh in May 2020. “India is a peace-loving country and I appreciate this. Even after tensions, India always talks of peace and tranquility across the globe. It is good that India wants to stay with peace and tranquility with the neighbouring country but at the same time it should also harden its approach in dealing with China in such a scenario,” said Gyangbung Rinpoche.

    Currently the Tibetan Government in exile is based out of Dharamshala and 14th Dalai Lama who escaped from China is also living there.

    The Head Lama reiterated the old request of conferring the Dalai Lama with India’s highest award Bharat Ratna. “He has grown up in India and wherever in the world he visits he always talks of India’s character of peace, prosperity, culture and religious beliefs,’ he said.

    India has been the birthplace of Buddhism. Lama praised India for its work towards promoting Buddhism. In November-December, a world-level seminar will be held on Buddhism at Nalanda. “I am happy that the government is taking up several projects for Buddhism,” he said.

    India’s land borders or the LAC with China today are essentially those between India and Tibet. Besides a common border, parts of India share cultural linkages with Tibet.

    Until the escape of the Dalai Lama in 1959, there was extensive trade and people-to-people contact between Tibet. One of the most sacred sites for Hindus – Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar – are in Tibet.

  • China’s continuous build-up matter of concern: Army Chief Staff Gen MM Naravane

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The military build-up by China in the eastern Ladakh region and new infrastructure development to sustain the large-scale deployment are matters of concern and India has been keeping a close watch on all the activities by the Chinese PLA, Chief of Army Staff Gen MM Naravane said on Saturday.

    He said if the Chinese military maintains the deployment through the second winter, it may lead to an LoC-like situation (Line of Control) though not an active LoC as is there on the western front with Pakistan The Chief of Army Staff said if the Chinese military continues with its deployment, the Indian Army too will maintain its presence on its side which is “as good as what the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) has done”.

    Indian and Chinese militaries have been on a standoff in several areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh for nearly 17 months though both sides disengaged from a number of friction points this year following a series of talks.

    “Yes, it is a matter of concern that the large-scale build-up has occurred and continues to be in place, and to sustain that kind of a build-up, there has been an equal amount of infrastructure development on the Chinese side,” Gen Naravane said at the Indian Today conclave.

    “So, it means that they (PLA) are there to stay. We are keeping a close watch on all these developments, but if they are there to stay, we are there to stay too,” he said. Gen Naravane said the build-up and the infrastructure development on the Indian side are as good as what PLA has done.

    “But what this would, especially if they continue to stay there through the second winter, definitely mean that we will be in a kind of LC (Line of Control) situation though not an active LC as is there on the western front. But definitely, we will have to keep a close eye on all the troop build-up and deployments to see that they do not get into any misadventure once again,” he said.

    To a question, Gen Naravane said it is difficult to understand why China triggered the standoff when the world was reeling under the COVID-19 pandemic and when that country had certain issues on its eastern seaboard.

    “While all that is going on, to sort of open up one more front is very difficult to understand or fathom. But whatever it might have been, I do not think they have been able to achieve any of those because of the rapid response done by the Indian armed forces,” he said.

    Asked to comment on the overall situation in eastern Ladakh, Gen Naravane referred to a recent statement by a spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs and said he had clearly mentioned that whatever has happened on the Northern border is because of the massive build-up by the Chinese side and the non-adherence to various protocols. “So that is very clear as to what was the trigger for all that which has happened,” Gen Naravane said.

    The Army Chief said following the standoff in eastern Ladakh, Indian Army realised that it needs to do more in the area of ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance). “So that has been the thurst of our modernisation over the last one year. Similarly, other weapons and equipment that we thought we need for future, those have got our attention also,” he said.

    The border standoff between the Indian and the Chinese militaries erupted on May 5 last year in eastern Ladakh following a violent clash in the Pangong lake area. Both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponry.

    As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed the disengagement process in the Gogra area in August. In February, the two sides completed the withdrawal of troops and weapons from the north and south banks of the Pangong lake in line with an agreement on disengagement.

    Each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the LAC in the sensitive sector.

  • India wants solution to border dispute with China through dialogue: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday that India wants a solution to the border dispute with China through dialogue and asserted that the government would never allow the sanctity of borders to be violated.

    The Modi government has made it clear to the forces that any unilateral action on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) should not be ignored, he said. Singh was delivering virtually the third Balramji Dass Tandon Memorial Lecture organised by Panjab University on the issue of national security.

    The defence minister said that there have been “perception differences” on the border with China. “Despite this, there are some agreements, protocols which the armies of both countries follow to conduct patrols,” he said.

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    Referring to the clashes in eastern Ladakh last year, Singh said Chinese forces had ignored the “agreed protocols”. “We cannot allow the Chinese Army PLA to act on the LAC in a unilateral manner under any circumstances. That is what the Indian Army did that day in Galwan and bravely confronted the PLA soldiers and forced them to retreat,” he said while terming it as a “historic” incident.

    India wants a solution to the border dispute with China through dialogue, the defence minister said and asserted that the government will never compromise on issues of the “country’s borders, its honour and self-respect”. “We will never allow the sanctity of borders to be violated,” he said.

    Recalling the Galwan incident, he said the bravery, valour and restraint shown by the Indian Army are incomparable and unparalleled.

    In the first deadly clash in the border area in nearly five decades, 20 Indian soldiers were killed on June 15 last year in the Galwan Valley in fierce hand-to-hand combat with Chinese troops, triggering a large deployment of troops and heavy weaponry by both armies at the friction points in eastern Ladakh.

    In February, China officially acknowledged that five Chinese military officers and soldiers were killed in the clashes with the Indian Army though it is widely believed that the death toll was higher.

    In a significant forward movement towards the restoration of peace and tranquility in the region, the Indian and Chinese armies completed the disengagement process and restored the pre-standoff ground position in Gogra in eastern Ladakh after 15 months.

    The development came after the 12th round of military talks between the two sides on July 31 at the Chushul-Moldo meeting point in eastern Ladakh. Earlier, the Indian and Chinese frontline troops had conducted the first synchronised disengagement at the south and north banks of the Pangong lake in February.

    The Army is trained to press the trigger on seeing the movement of the enemy, but the Indian Army has shown both courage and restraint while working with great maturity, Rajnath Singh said. He said despite this, questions were raised by some opposition leaders on the Army’s capability.

    The defence minister said India has learnt a lot from the 1962 war against China. On improving infrastructure, he said that the Atal Tunnel project in Rohtang, which was on hold for a long time, was completed by the Modi government. “This tunnel has strategic importance,” he said.

    The Border Roads Organisation is developing infrastructure projects and all-weather connectivity was being given to Ladakh, he said, adding work on several alternative roads has started. The minister said it will also help the people who live in border areas as these people have “strategic importance for us”. “Keeping their interests in mind, it is necessary to strengthen the border infrastructure,” he said.

    Referring to the situation in the Northeast, the minister said an era of peace has come in this region in the last seven years.

    There was a time when the entire region was in the grip of insurgency, he said and dubbed the restoration of peace in the Northeast as the “biggest strategic victory” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure.

    The minister said the government has succeeded in controlling Left Wing Extremism as well in the last seven years. When the BJP government was formed in 2014, as many as 160 districts were facing the Naxal problem, while this number reduced to 50 in 2019.

  • 12th round of Sino-India military talks to be held on Saturday; India hopes for forward movement

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The 12th round of high-level military talks between India and China will take place on Saturday with a focus on achieving some forward movement in the disengagement in the remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh, sources in the military establishment said.

    The fresh round of Corps Commander talks are scheduled to start at 10:30 AM at Moldo border point on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, they added. Sources said that the main focus of the talks will be on addressing outstanding problems in Hot Springs and Gogra.

    The latest round of talks will take place after a gap of more than three and a half months. The 11th round of talks had taken place on April 9 at the Chushul border point on the Indian side of the LAC. India and China have been locked in a military standoff at multiple friction points in eastern Ladakh since early May last year.

    The two sides completed the withdrawal of troops and weapons from the North and South banks of Pangong lake in February following a series of military and diplomatic talks. There was no visible forward movement in disengagement of troops in the remaining friction points as the Chinese side did not show flexibility in their approach on it at the 11th round of military talks.

  • Situation along LAC normal since February disengagement in Pangong areas: Army chief on Ladakh row

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The talks between India and China on the border row in eastern Ladakh have helped “build trust” and the situation in the region has been normal since the disengagement took place in the Pangong Tso areas in February, Chief of Army Staff Gen MM Naravane said on Thursday, exuding confidence of resolution of the “remaining issues”.

    In a virtual interactive session at a think-tank, Gen Naravane said the militaries of the two countries have been engaged in dialogue at various levels.

    “The situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is normal ever since the disengagement took place in February this year from the northern and southern banks of Pangong lake as well as the Kailash ranges,” he said.

    “Since then both sides have strictly adhered to in the letter and sprit of the disengagement that was agreed upon. We are engaging the Chinese at various levels at the political level, at the diplomatic level and of course at the military level,” Gen Naravane added.

    The Army chief was asked to comment on the situation in eastern Ladakh.

    “This talk between us is going on and this has helped build trust between the two sides. And going ahead, we are sure that we will be able to resolve all the remaining issues,” he said.

    At the same time, Gen Naravane said that the development along northern borders in the past year showed that the armed forces will have to be continuously prepared.

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    The comments by the Army chief came three days after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that India believes in resolving disputes with neighbours through dialogue but it will not tolerate if provoked or threatened.

    India and China on June 25 held another round of diplomatic talks on the border row during which they agreed to hold the next round of military talks at an early date to achieve the objective of complete disengagement in remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh.

    At the virtual meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on border affairs, the two sides had a “frank exchange” of views and decided to maintain dialogue to reach a mutually acceptable solution for withdrawal of troops in all friction points to enable progress in the overall ties, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

    India and China were locked in a military standoff at multiple friction points in eastern Ladakh since early May last year.

    However, the two sides completed the withdrawal of troops and weapons from the North and South banks of Pangong lake in February following a series of military and diplomatic talks.

    The two sides are now engaged in talks to extend the disengagement process to the remaining friction points.

    India has been particularly pressing for disengagement of troops in Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang.

    According to military officials, each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the LAC in the sensitive sector.

    There was no visible forward movement on disengagement of troops in the remaining friction points as the Chinese side did not show flexibility in their approach on it at the 11th round of military talks.

  • Bengal STF takes charge of probe of Chinese national arrested from India-Bangladesh border by BSF

    By ANI
    KOLKATA: West Bengal Special Task Force (STF) on Tuesday took the charge of the investigation of the Chinese national, who was apprehended from the India-Bangladesh Border in West Bengal last week.

    On June 10, the BSF had arrested 35-year-old Chinese national, Han Junwe while he was trying to cross the India-Bangladesh international boundary illegally. On being asked to stop, Junwe tried to run away but was chased and caught by BSF personnel.

    He was then taken to the Border Out Post Interrogation and his passport revealed that he had gone to Dhaka, Bangladesh on June 2 on a business visa, where he stayed with a Chinese friend. On June 8, he reached Sona Masjid in Bangladesh’s Chapai Nawabganj district.

    While trying to enter inside the Indian territory on Thursday morning, he was caught by BSF troops.

    “When troops questioned him, he didn’t give a satisfactory reply. Immediately agencies concerned and the local police were informed. Agencies are questioning him,” BSF sources had said.

    According to the BSF statement, during interrogation, Junwe had revealed that he had previously visited India four times– Hyderabad in 2010, and Delhi and Gurugram thrice after 2019. He also said that he has a hotel in Gurugram called ‘Star Spring’.

    He had further said that when he had gone to his hometown of Hubei, one of his business partners, namely Sun Jiang, used to send him 10-15 numbers belonging to Indian mobile phone SIM cards and after a few days, they are received by him and his wife.

    But a few days ago, his business partner was caught by ATS in Lucknow and he mentioned Junwe and his wife. A case was registered against them in ATS Lucknow due to which he was not able to get an Indian visa in China.

    He, however, managed a visa from Bangladesh and Nepal, so that he could come to India.

    BSF had said that a thorough search of the intruder produced one laptop, two mobile phones, one Bangladeshi SIM cars, one Indian SIM card, two Chinese SIM cards, two pen drives, three batteries, two small torch lights, five Money Transaction Machines, two ATM/Master Card, US Dollars, Bangladeshi Taka and Indian currency.