PMO Claifies PM Modi's 'No Intrusion' Remark; Says Army Foiled Ladakh Trangression Attempt By China

In a series of tweets, the PMO has brought out a statement regarding PM Narendra Modi's 'No Intrusion' statement about Galwan Valley clash. the tweet said there are 'attempts to give a mischievous interpretation to remarks.'

PM Modi during an all party meeting to discuss the situation along the India-China border. (Image: Twitter/ PIB)

New Delhi: Soon after Opposition started slamming the Central government over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'no intrusion' remark which they said was contradictory claims to what Indian Army and Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have made, Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Saturday said that an attempt is being made to give a "mischievous interpretation" to the remarks made by the PM. PM Modi, in the all-party meeting on Friday over Chinese intrusion in the Galwan Valley and the killing of Indian soldiers said that "no Indian post or territory is occupied by anyone." This was later picked up by the Opposition claiming that PM's remarks contradicts earlier statements made by Chief of Army Staff M.M. Narvane, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Issuing a clarification over PM Modi's remarks, the PM's Office said that the Indian soldiers foiled the transgression attempts of the Chinese side and to erect structures in Ladakh on June 15. "Attempts are being made in some quarters to give a mischievous interpretation to remarks by the Prime Minister at the All-Party Meeting (APM) yesterday," PMO said in an official statement adding that an unnecessary controversy was being created to lower the soldiers' morale.

Attempts are being made in some quarters to give a mischievous interpretation to remarks by the PM @narendramodi at All-Party Meeting yesterday

PM was clear that India would respond firmly to any attempts to transgress the Line of Actual Control (1/n) ▶️https://t.co/N3tyLtry6X — PIB India (@PIB_India) June 20, 2020

The Congress as well as a number of strategic affairs experts raised questions over PM Modi's remarks asking if there was no transgression by the Chinese military in Galwan Valley then where did Indian soldiers die. They also wondered whether Modi gave a clean chit to China over the standoff.

Prime Minister’s observations that there was no Chinese presence on our side of the LAC pertained to the situation as a consequence of the bravery of our armed forces.#IndiaChinaBorder

(4/n) ▶️https://t.co/N3tyLtry6X — PIB India (@PIB_India) June 20, 2020

"The sacrifices of the soldiers of the 16 Bihar Regiment foiled the attempt of the Chinese side to erect structures and also cleared the attempted transgression at this point of the LAC on that day," the PMO said. "The words of the prime minister 'those who tried to transgress our land were taught a befitting lesson by our brave sons of soil', succinctly summed up the ethos and the values of our armed forces," it added. The PMO said Modi assured that India's armed forces will leave no stone unturned to protect the country's borders.

The sacrifices of the soldiers of the 16 Bihar Regiment foiled the attempt of the Chinese side to erect structures and also cleared the attempted transgression at this point of the LAC on that day. #IndiaChinaBorder

(5/5) ▶️https://t.co/N3tyLtry6X — PIB India (@PIB_India) June 20, 2020

Earlier in the day, former Finance Minister and senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram said, "I wish to begin by reiterating what the Congress President Sonia Gandhi said yesterday at the all party meeting. She said, that the Congress stand by our defence forces and are prepared to make any sacrifice to ensure they are battle ready." Lamenting the Prime Minister, Chidambaram said, "It is quite obvious that the Prime Minister's statement contradicts the earlier statements made by the Chief of Army Staff, the Defence Minister and the Foreign Minister." Referring to the killing of 20 Indian soldiers in Ladakh's Galwan vallwey by the Chinese People Liberation's Army (PLA) troops in an unprecedented attack on Monday night, Chidambaram said, "We would also like to ask, if no Chinese troops were inside Indian territory, where did the clashes take place on June 15-16? Where were 20 Indian soldiers killed and 85 injured?" In the all party meeting, PM Modi had emphasized that all necessary steps for national security and construction of necessary infrastructure will continue to be taken at a fast pace. The Prime Minster had also reassured the leaders about the capability of the armed forces to defend the borders and said that they have been given a free hand to take all necessary steps.