China will retreat in Ladakh: Defense Minister said - Disengagement agreement in North and South areas of Pangong Lake, we lost nothing

The tension between India and China in Ladakh for almost a year is now expected to end, as the two countries have reached an agreement to withdraw forces from disputed areas. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh gave this important information in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. He said, "Disengagement has been reached in the North and South areas of Pangong. However, there are still some issues left. We have not lost anything in our talks with China.

In his speech, Rajnath also spoke about China's attempts to infiltrate, as well as repeated the warning that no one will be allowed to take an inch of land. He not only appreciated the valor and martyrdom of Indian soldiers against China but also described the agreement on disengagement as a result of the bravery of the soldiers.

The Defense Minister said that the Indian Army has fought all the challenges firmly. Many areas have been marked, where our forces are present. Our forces are also present on the high peaks of Ladakh, so our strength remains. This country will remember the martyrs on whom the disengagement is based.

China collected ammunition at LAC last year

The Defense Minister said that China had amassed a large amount of army and ammunition near the eastern Ladakh border during April-May last year. China had also attempted migration to the LAC several times. Our army responded suitably to all those armed efforts. With this House, the entire nation paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed while protecting the border.

Rajnath also said that military and diplomatic talks between the two sides (India-China) have been going on since September last year. Our goal is to maintain disengagement and the status quo on LAC so that peace and tranquility can be restored.

China affected relations

The Defense Minister said that the steps taken by China on the border last year have adversely affected peace and tranquility. It has also had an impact on relations between India and China. Last year I had talks with my Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister Jaishankar, with Chinese Foreign Minister and NSA Ajit Doval with his Chinese counterpart. We have made it clear that disengagement should be done at all LAC sections so that peace and tranquility can be maintained.

China occupies 43 thousand sq km of India's land

Rajnath Singh said that China has occupied 38 thousand sq km area inside Ladakh in an unauthorized manner since 1962. Besides, Pakistan illegally gave 5,180 sq km of land in PoK to China. In this way, China occupies about 43 thousand square km of land in India. On the other hand, China also claims 9 thousand square km of land in Arunachal Pradesh. India has never accepted these unnatural claims.

Our forces are guarded amidst the hills of Ladakh.

The Defense Minister said, 'Last year in the House I told that many sections have been formed near LAC in Eastern Ladakh. China has gathered its army and ammunition around the LAC. Counter deployments have been made on behalf of our army keeping security in mind. The Indian Army has fought all the challenges firmly. Our forces are present in many areas, marking several strategically important areas. Our forces are engaged in security amidst the high hills and snow of Ladakh, which is why we remain strong. '

The Defense Minister said that since last year we have had military and diplomatic relations with China. In these conversations, we told China that based on 3 principles, we want to solve the problem-

1. LAC should be considered and respected by both parties.

2. There should not be any attempt by any party to change the status unilaterally.

3. Both sides fully abide by all agreements.

One inch of land will not let anyone take

Rajnath said that our strategy and approach to the talks is based on the Prime Minister's guideline that we will not let anyone take even one inch of land. The result of our determination is that we have reached a position of agreement. Military and diplomatic levels have been discussed several times between the two sides to find out how disengagement works from September 2020. Till now, Senior Commander Level has been discussed 9 times.

Senior commander level will be talked about in 48 hours of disengagement from Pangong Lake

The Defense Minister said, "Due to our approach and constant negotiations, a settlement agreement has been reached with China on the North and South Bank of Pangong Lake. It has also been agreed that senior commander-level talks should be held within 48 hours of pool disengagement from Pangong Lake and resolve the remaining issues.

'China will place its troops on the east side of Finger 8 in the North Bank. Similarly, India will place its troops on their post-Thansingh Thapa near Finger 3. Similar action will also be taken by both the parties in South Bank. Whatever construction has been done by both sides on North and South Bank since April last year, they will be removed and the old condition will be restored.

Action started on the agreement in the areas of Pangong

According to the Defense Minister, it has also been decided that both sides will temporarily postpone their army activities (this includes the patrolling of traditional locations) on the North Bank. Patrolling will begin only when the military and diplomatic level talks come out with a solution. Action on the settlement on the North and South Bank of Pangong has started tomorrow (Wednesday). The situation is expected to be restored before the deadlock last year.

China Claims Clash Over LAC

On Wednesday, a day before the defense minister made a statement in the Rajya Sabha, the Chinese government claimed that the nine-month-long confrontation with India over the LAC in Ladakh has ended. According to China, on Wednesday, simultaneous withdrawal of troops stationed on the frontline from both sides began. Earlier, the Chinese media had also claimed that the Indo-Chinese Army from the southern and northern areas of Pangong Lake started the process of disengagement.

10th round meeting expected soon

Spokesperson Wu Qian of China's Ministry of Defense said that the disengagement was agreed to during the 9th round of commander level talks between China and India. Under this, both countries have retreated their troops from Pangong Hunan and North Coast. After this came the statement of the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that the foreign ministers of the two countries agreed to find a solution to the issue in a meeting held in Russia.

The 9th round of talks between India and China on January 24 lasted 15 hours. In this, India had said that it is now up to China to move the process of removing troops from the disputed areas and to reduce the tension. During this time, both sides also agreed to hold the 10th round of talks with the corps commanders to expedite the withdrawal of troops.

Armies have been face to face since April last year

The forces of China and India are face to face in East Ladakh from April-May last year. In June 2020, there was a violent clash between the soldiers of the two countries in Galvan. In this, 20 soldiers of India were martyred. China also had more than 40 soldiers killed, though it never admitted the death of its soldiers.