New Delhi: Amid the over three-year-long standoff at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday described the border situation with China as a matter of “difference in perceptions” and said there should be no compromise with respect to India. There will be no compromise. and self respect.
Speaking at the ‘National Security Conclave’ in Jammu, the Defense Minister was also optimistic that a day would come when the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) would be removed from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Singh reiterated the government’s stand to resolve the border issue through dialogue in a peaceful manner. He commended the Indian Army for its dedication and valor in stopping the People’s Liberation Army’s attempts to change the status quo.
He said that talks are going on at the military and diplomatic level to resolve the dispute between the two neighboring countries. “We will never allow the sanctity of our borders to be violated,” he said.
Relations between India and China have remained cordial and at times tense after PLA troops violated agreements in May 2020 and transgressed the LAC at multiple locations in eastern Ladakh.
Jammu and Kashmir and AFSPA
Noting that AFSPA has been removed from large parts of the Northeast, Singh said he was waiting for “permanent peace” in Jammu and Kashmir to remove it from the Union Territory.
“While we have controlled the problem of insurgency in Northeast India, we have also been able to control Left Wing Extremism. Today AFSPA has been removed from a large part of the North East. I am waiting for the day when permanent peace will come in Jammu and Kashmir and AFSPA will be removed from here too.
In the past, the problem of extremism in India, where extremism was found in our country, we have been successful in controlling extremism as well. Today AFSPA has been removed from large parts of North East. I am waiting for the day when there will be permanent peace in Jammu and Kashmir also and from here…
– Defense Minister’s Office / RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) 26 June 2023
“For long, Pakistan has tried to destabilize peace and harmony in the country through cross-border terrorism. However, when we came to power, we started effective action against terrorism. We showed the world the meaning of ‘zero tolerance against terrorism’.
“Terrorist funding has been curbed. The supply of weapons and drugs to the terrorists has been stopped. Along with the elimination of terrorists, the work of destroying the network of underground workers is also being done.
Singh further said that the decision to abrogate Article 370 has connected the people of the Union Territory with the mainstream of India and helped usher in a new era of peace and progress.
‘Self-reliant India’
Highlighting the steps taken to achieve self-reliance in defense manufacturing, Singh said defense exports have crossed Rs 16,000 crore from Rs 900 crore before 2014. “Exports will soon touch Rs 20,000 crore mark,” he added.
Meanwhile, Singh dismissed speculation reports on the price and other terms of procuring MQ-9B drones from the US, saying the Defense Ministry would compare the acquisition cost of the drones with the best offered by General Atomics (GA) to other countries. Will do for a price. The acquisition would be done following the established procurement procedure, he added.
India and the US have signed a $3 billion deal for the outright purchase of 31 MQ-9 Reaper or Predator B drones. while the Indian Navy would 15 drones allottedArmy and Indian Air Force will get 8-8.
(Edited by Tony Rae)