The “unprovoked aggression” on the Himalayan frontiers is a reminder of how the world is changing, how existing agreements are being challenged, how power is being asserted not just in the Himalayas but across the Indo-Pacific, said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday, referring to the ongoing stand-off with China in Eastern Ladakh.
Speaking at a ship launch in Kolkata, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Bipin Rawat said they have got adequate forces to counter any threat or challenges that they may face on the northern borders.
“Whenever there is a situation at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the most obvious outcome is a comparison between India and China’s military strength. There can be a serious debate on who owns more military might but when it comes to soft power there is no scope of ambiguity. India is far ahead of China when it comes to leading the world with ideas,” Mr. Singh said at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) annual general meeting.
He said India, due to its location, size, population and economy, had always been at the strategic forefront of global security.
LAC situation
Referring to “big build-up of armed forces” at the LAC in Ladakh, he stated that the forces had shown exemplary courage and remarkable fortitude and “fought the PLA with utmost bravery and forced them to go back.”
GRSE-built stealth frigate launched in Kolkata
India had been a victim of cross-border terrorism. It fought the scourge alone even when there was no one to support, but later the world understood that India was right about “Pakistan being the fountain-head of terrorism,” he noted
“And now again our brave forces are there in the forefront fighting icy winds to guard our borders and to fulfil their responsibility. The question is can our industry also stand shoulder to shoulder with our forces?”, he observed. Being one of the largest armed forces in the world, India was so import-dependent in critical areas, he pointed out.
In Kolkata, Gen. Rawat said the armed forces were fully prepared for any eventuality that they may face. “We are in a stand-off situation in Ladakh and based on that there is some development activity which has been ongoing in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Every nation will continue to prepare for ensuring its security based on their strategic interest,” he asserted.
Talking of technology, Gen. Rawat said time had come now to look at the future of war-fighting, imbibing technology into systems. Asked about unabated Cease-Fire Violations (CFV) along the Line of Control (LoC), he observed that the other side (Pakistan) should be “getting more concerned.” “We are fully prepared,” he added.
