New Delhi:
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh today said the withdrawal of Indian and Chinese forces near the Line of Actual Control is “almost complete”. The minister said that while India “wants to move beyond disengagement”, it will “take time”.
“India and China have been holding talks at both diplomatic and military levels to resolve differences in some areas along the LAC. As a result of the talks, a broad consensus emerged on the basis of equality and mutual security. Consensus includes patrolling and grazing rights based on this consensus, but we will have to wait a little longer for that.
The Defense Minister today dedicated the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to the nation at Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, whose birth anniversary is being celebrated today. He also opened the Major Ralingnao 'Bab' Khathang 'Museum of Vellore'. Mr. Singh inaugurated them from the Army Headquarters in Tezpur, Assam when he could not travel to Tawang due to bad weather.
Mr. Singh paid tribute to Sardar Patel for his key role in uniting over 560 princely states after India's independence in 1947. “This 'Desh Ka Vallabh' statue will inspire people to remember the strength and unwavering spirit in unity needed to build a nation. As diverse as we are,” he said.
He also paid tribute to Major Bob Khathang for his contribution to the North East region and national security. “Major Khathang not only led the peaceful integration of Tawang into India but also established the necessary military and security infrastructure, including the Sashstra Seema Bal, the Nagaland Armed Police, and the Naga Regiment. The 'Museum of Vellore' is now his tribute. Stands as a tribute to bravery and foresight, inspiring generations to come.”
In a step towards de-escalating tensions along the LAC following violent clashes in the Galwan Valley in 2020, India and China last week agreed to a patrolling agreement under which both sides would restore their pre-April 2020 positions. Will be back. Delhi and Beijing, however, will continue to have surveillance powers in Depsang and Demchuk, and will inform the other side before embarking on patrols to “avoid any miscommunication”.
The agreement was announced hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Russia for the BRICS summit where he held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Mr Modi told the Chinese leader, “It should be our priority to have peace and stability on our border” and stressed the need for “mutual trust, mutual respect”.