'Koi Mai Ka Laal...': Rajnath Singh At ABP Shikhar Sammelan Talks About Claims Of India-China Border Row

ABP Shikhar Sammelan 2024: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke on the border issues in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh and explained India's stand on various ongoing disputes.

Rajnath Singh at ABP Shikhar Sammelan on Friday.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that China cannot harm the prestige and dignity of India. Refusing to divulge details about the alleged incursion of China in Ladakh, Rajnath Singh said that it is widely known what the status has been since 1962 (Indo-Sino War).

"I want to assure the nation, Bharat ki pratishtha, aan, baan, aur shaan par koi mai ka laal prashnchinh nahi laga sakta hai [No one question India's reputation, pride and glory]. India is no longer weak," Rajnath Singh said at ABP's flagship even Shikhar Sammelan while answering a question on if Chinese incursion had actually occurred along India's borders.

He, however, declined to discuss any operational details, citing concerns over security and international relations.

"I do not want to discuss this issue because mutual talks are on between China and India. However, the dialogue should not be misconstrued as 'incursions'. In any conflict, one party advances on some points, while another party does the same on some others. But this doesn't mean India has lost," Singh said.

Speaking about the Opposition's allegations, the Defence Minister said: "It hurts to see the Opposition question the bravery of our forces. Our leaders did not question the outcome of the 1962 war. Even now, I do not talk about what happened in the past. Atal Bihar Vajpayee always stood by the government on such matters."

Rajnath Singh On Sonam Wangchuk's Allegations In Ladakh

Replying to activist Sonam Wangchuk's allegations that Indian shepherds in Ladakh are regularly being accosted by the Chinese army, Rajnath Singh said: "This has been happening for the last 50 years. Sometimes they stop our people, sometimes we stop theirs. This has not started during this government's tenure."

Rajnath Singh also said that India has not gone soft on the row with China over the Arunachal Pradesh border. "Arunachal has always been India's part and will continue to be so. China has never raised any issue related to the Arunachal border during the commander-level bilateral talks. So the topic has not come up."

Rajnath Singh further said that the Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir is also an integral part of India. "There is a situation today, but the locals want to be with India."