With tension continuing at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said here on Saturday that India and China are engaged at diplomatic and military levels to resolve the face-offs. Making it clear that the issue is bilateral, Rajnath also said this was conveyed to his US counterpart Mark Esper in telephonic conversation on Friday.
It is the first time that a Minister has given a statement on the stand-offs.
Rajnath also said the country should be assured that, “We will not allow India’s dignity to be hurt under any circumstances.”
He went on to add that India has always tried to maintain a peaceful relation with its neighbours. “We do not seek to challenge any nation,” he said.
Elaborating upon the Government’s plan of action to address the ongoing confrontation in Ladakh with China also bolstering its troop strength besides intruding into the Hot Spring area in Galwan valley, the Minister in an interview with a private television channel said he told the US that India will resolve the issue with China bilaterally.
“Yesterday (Friday) I spoke to the Secretary Defence of the US and I told him that India has a set mechanism under which we resolve our disputes with China, both at the military and diplomatic level. The mechanism is in place and our talks are on with China,” Singh said.
