Talks are continuing at the military and diplomatic levels to resolve the dispute, Singh says
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has termed the border situation with China as a matter of perceptional difference, pointing out that there are agreements & protocols, based on which the armies of both the countries carry out the patrolling. Referring to the stand-off along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), in Eastern Ladakh in 2020, Singh said the Chinese Army ignored the agreed protocols and unilaterally tried to change the status quo on the LAC. Addressing a ‘National Security Conclave’ in Jammu on Monday (June 26, 2023), he lauded the valour and dedication of the Indian Army which prevented the attempts by PLA to change the status quo. Defence Minister Singh reiterated the Government’s stand to resolve the border issue through dialogue and in a peaceful manner. He added that the talks are continuing at military and diplomatic levels to resolve the dispute. He assured the nation that the Government will never compromise on India’s border, its honour and self-respect. “We will never let the sanctity of our borders be violated,” he added. Talking about Jammu and Kashmir, he said the the network of terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir has substantially weakened in the last few years as strict and consistent action is being taken. “Terror funding has been curbed. Supply of arms & drugs to terrorists has been stopped. Along with elimination of terrorists, work is being done to dismantle the network of Under Ground workers,” On the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir, Defence Minister Singh stated that the decision has connected the people of the Union Territory with the country’s mainstream and helped them to usher in a new era of peace & progress. He also referrred to Pak Occupied Kashmir (PoK), saying that Pakistan does not have a locus standi there as it has illegally occupied the area. The Indian Parliament has unanimously passed at least three resolutions, which state that PoK is a part of India, he said. PARADIGM SHIFT IN SECURITY SCENARIO During hIs address, Singh asserted that India has witnessed a paradigm shift in its security scenario in the last nine years. Elaborating on the blueprint on national security, the Defence Minister stated that the Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been working on four directive principles: * To enable the country to deal with threats to its security & sovereignty * To take every action to protect national interests * To create safe conditions within the country to facilitate progress, improve the lives of the people & fulfil their aspirations * To build an environment with friendly countries to tackle global challenges such as terrorism unitedly Singh called for integrated and united response to deal with global threats & challenges. “India is a major regional power. Therefore, it is important for us to align our security concerns with other countries in our extended neighbourhood,” he said. He also listed the measures taken by the Government to bolster national security, including strengthening border infrastructure and achieving ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence. The steps taken to attain self-reliance included notification of positive indigenisation lists and earmarking 75% of defence capital procurement budget for domestic industry in Financial Year 2023-24, he said. “India does not want to depend on imported weapons. Our national security will only strengthen when we become self-reliant in defence manufacturing. Our aim is to ‘Make in India, Make for the world’. Our efforts are bearing fruit. Today, we are manufacturing tanks, aircraft carriers, submarines and various kinds of weapons. Defence exports have crossed Rs 16,000 crore from a meagre Rs 900 crore before 2014. The exports will soon touch the Rs 20,000 crore mark,” he remarked.