New Delhi: The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers who had “briefly intruded” into the Indian side of the Galwan Valley were repulsed and the Army has been given a free hand to severely deal with such transgressions, government sources have told ThePrint.
“Also, the government would ensure that border infrastructure work would carry on at a fast pace. India has never succumbed to external pressures and India stands united as we face the adversary intending to infringe upon India’s sovereignty,” said a source.
The sources also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement at Friday’s all-party meet was “selectively” picked by some, which was against the spirit of the united stand India’s political leadership took at the meeting.
Speaking during the all-party meeting convened to hold discussions with the opposition parties over the India-China border tensions, the PM had said: “Neither has anyone entered our territory nor is anyone in control of our border posts. Twenty of our soldiers were martyred, but they taught a lesson to those who dared to look Bharat Mata in the eye.”
Explaining the context of the PM’s speech that had raised a controversy, the source quoted above said, “Firstly, those adversarial elements (Chinese Army) who intruded in the Galwan sector were repulsed and while doing that, the 20 brave soldiers were killed. Their gallant action ensured that thereafter, no post was under enemy control and no territory was under their (Chinese) possession.”
The government source also said the military has been given a free hand to carry out all steps necessary and ensure India’s sovereignty is intact. “A free hand to the military means that now any transgressions would be dealt with very severely.”
ThePrint had reported on 16 June and 17 June on the sequence of events near Patrol Point (PP) 14, a few hundred metres from the LAC on the Indian side from where the Chinese had come in.
The PP 14 is at the mouth of the Galwan Valley and is also a meeting point for both sides.
ThePrint also reported Saturday that the rules of engagement at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which had put certain restrictions on soldiers, have been changed, and the Chinese have been told about it both at military and diplomatic levels.
Also read: New bridge over Shyok river in Galwan Valley now functional amid tension with China
‘PM batted for peace but not at the cost of sovereignty’
The government source also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made it very clear that India’s sovereignty was non-negotiable. “He (PM) mentioned that India desires peace and amity, but not at the cost of our sovereignty.”
The source underlined that while the all-party meeting was about the Chinese transgressions, it was particularly focused on the night of 15 June when the soldiers died.
“PM Modi said ‘Naahi Koi Ghusa Hua Hai Naahi Hamari Koi Post Kisi Doosre Ke Kabje Mein Hai‘. Since he was speaking in the context of the 16 Bihar action as is evident from the next statement, he basically spoke about no territory or posts being under the Chinese in Galwan, where that operation took place and we lost 20 soldiers. His statement above, applies in this context only,” the source said.
The source added that “to selectively pick this part of his statement, bereft of context and to apply it to the vast canvas of Chinese transgressions across the Northern and Eastern borders”, would be against the very spirit of the united stand India’s political leadership took.
In such trying times wherein the need of the hour is a completely unanimous, united front, the source said, adding that picking out statements without context can only serve to strengthen the enemy’s hands.
The External Affair Minister’s statement on 17 June as well as to the all-party meeting in this regard is unambiguous and needs to be comprehended to allay any misconceptions, the sources said. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had released the statement following a conversation with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.
“The Chinese side took premeditated and planned action that was directly responsible for the resulting violence and casualties. It reflected intent to change the facts on ground in violation of all our agreements to not change the status quo,” Jaishankar’s statement said. “It was agreed that the overall situation would be handled in a responsible manner, and both sides would implement the disengagement understanding of 06 June sincerely.”
Also read: Chinese have changed the rules of engagement at LAC. It’s time India did too
This is like saying “I’ll create the mess and then give you a free hand to clean up the mess”. Never mind if you lose your lives in the process.
Why one line from the PM’s statement is deleted? He said, “ Nahi wahan koi hamari seema mein ghus aha hai, Nahi koi ghusa hua hai, Nahi hamari koi post kiss dusare ke kabje mein hai.” The earlier line caused confusion , implying that there was no intrusion anytime in the recent past, which is simply not true. In Golwan valley at Finger post 14 , an attempt was made to construct a tent, which definitely was a case of intrusion, which was foiled by our army. Thereafter there was a violent conflict. However, I feel now since the clarification is received, we should not stretch the matter any further. However, the intrusion in Pangongtse lake still remains unresolved. The area from point 8 to point 4, which is a contested area, where both China and India are claiming that it belongs to them. This area is still occupied by China disregarding India’s claim., and we are not allowed to enter the area. If this is not an intrusion, what it is?
Understood. But, PM should speak with more clarity so that his government should not spend next few days explaining what he rally meant.
It was always known that China will violate agreements; the Q was only when? The “when” has multiple answers. The current time is just one of them. It is also not that India has not been preparing. India is aware and has been constantly beefing up its defenses across the LAC as best as it can. So has been China on their side.
On a nebulous border on most of the more than 3500 km length, how can one forever depend on non-military type agreements like no weapons, no firing, no explosions, “I patrol now, you patrol later” etc. An undependable and aggressive China can be expected to violate these norms and play games as and when it suits them. After all the maxim “All is fair in love and war” is enduring.
In the absence of a judicial process to decide the border dispute, there are only two options – neither of them is easy or well defined.
1. Winner of a duel decides – whatever the manner of the “duel” – more this is prolonged more will be the cost in terms of “(wo)men and materials”.
2. Negotiate (diplomacy or whatever…); in which case there will be some give and take
India (and China) has to decide. Sooner the better. Everything else is academic, media fodder and offers breeding ground for “experts” especially for Veterans who had a chance once upon time.