Rajnath Singh In RS: "China Is Attempting To Change Status Quo, Transgressed In Arunachal And Ladakh"

The Defence Minister answered the opposition's questions on the India-China border issue and said that China has illegally occupied India's territory at LAC and is trying to change the status quo.

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Monsoon Session: Defence Minister Rjanath Singh articulated the government's stance on the India-China border issue in Rajya Sabha on Thursday. The Defence Minister said that China has illegally occupied 38,000 sq km of India's territory in Ladakh as both countries have their own perception of LAC. Also Read: Monsoon Session | We Are Ready To Deal With Any Situation, Won't Let Them Change Status Quo: Rajnath Singh On Border Tensions With China "China continues to illegally occupation of approx 38,000 sq. kms in the Union Territory of Ladakh. In addition, under the so-called Sino-Pakistan 'Boundary Agreement' of 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 sq. km. of Indian territory in PoK to China", Defence Minister in Rajya Sabha. "On 15 June, Col Santosh Babu, along with his 19 brave soldiers, made the supreme sacrifice in Galwan Valley towards the cause of defending the territorial integrity of India. Our PM himself went to Ladakh to boost the morale of forces", Defence Minister in Rajya Sabha "China claims approximately 90,000 sq. kms. of Indian territory in the Eastern Sector of the India-China boundary in Arunachal Pradesh", Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Rajya Sabha. The deployment of troops along the LAC by China is against the 92-93 agreements, he added. The Defence Minister said that the armed forces have always defended India's territorial integrity "The conduct of our armed forces throughout these incidents shows that while they maintained 'Sayyam' in face of provocative actions, they also equally displayed 'Shaurya' when required to protect the territorial integrity of India", said Rajnath Singh "While our armed forces abide scrupulously by it, this has not been reciprocated by the Chinese side", said Rajnath Singh. The Defence Minister added, "Chinese actions reflect a disregard of our various bilateral agreements. The amassing of the troops by China goes against the 1993 & 1996 Agreements. Respecting and strictly observing the Line of Actual Control is the basis for peace & tranquility in the border areas." "China, in the last many decades, undertook significant infrastructure construction activity to enhance their deployment capabilities in the border areas. Our Govt too has stepped up the budget for border infrastructure development to about double the previous levels," Rajnath Singh "The situation this year is very different both in terms of the scale of troops involved & no. of friction points. We do remain committed to a peaceful resolution of the current situation. At the same time, we remain prepared to deal with all contingencies", Rajnath Singh in Rajya Sabha Also Watch|India committed to peace along LAC but set to deal with contingencies too: Def Minister