Rajnath Singh On India-China Face-Off In Parliament: ‘Border Issue Unresolved, No Mutually Acceptable Solution Reached’; ‘Will Do Whatever Is Needed To Protect Sovereignty’

The border issue with China is still unresolved as the Chinese "does not recognise the current boundary", Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in parliament on September 15. Singh did not mince words while stating that no mutually acceptable solution has been reached by both the sides so far. He also said that the difference in perception has led to the face-off at the Line of Actual Control. While diplomatic and military channels are being used to resolve the tensions, the Indian forces are also equipped to effectively retaliate to all forms of aggressions, the Defence Minister added. "China has unilaterally violated the bilateral agreements signed in 1993 and 1996," the minister said. Singh added that Indian soldiers stopped these transgressions showing "patience and resolve when required and courage and valour when required". Singh listed the sequence of the escalation of tensions along the eastern Ladakh sector, claiming that China first began increasing troops in the region in April. The Defence Minister also pointed out how Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ladakh amid the tensions has boosted the morale of the security forces. "I met my Chinese counterpart in Moscow recently, and put forward our concerns, but made it absolutely clear that India is very serious about issues of sovereignty," Singh said. India is "very serious about issues of sovereignty" and the country is "prepared for all outcomes" to ensure that it is maintained, Union minister Rajnath Singh told the parliament. Before concluding his address, Singh appealed the Parliament to pass a resolution stating that all the elected lawmakers are solidly standing behind the Indian soldiers who are guarding the borders.