Former PM Manmohan Singh breaks silence on India-China clash; seeks unity as Rahul attacks

Breaking his silence on Galwan Valley clash where 20 soldiers of Indian Army lost ir lives battling Chinese along Line of Actual Control (LAC), former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has issued a statement. 

'We must stand toger as a nation'

Dr Manmohan Singh said, "We call upon Prime Minister and government to rise to occasion, to ensure justice for Col. B. Santosh Babu and our Jawans who have made ultimate sacrifice and resolutely defended our territorial integrity. To do any less would be a historic betrayal of people’s faith."

former PM said that China is brazenly and illegally seeking to claim parts of Indian territory such as Galwan Vally and Pangong Tso by committing multiple incursions between April 2020 till date. He added that India cant be cowed down by threats and intimidation r permit a compromise with our territorial integrity. 

'PM must always be mindful of implications...'

" Prime Minister cant allow m to use his words as a vindication of ir position and must ensure all organs of Government work toger to tackle this crisis and prevent it from escalating furr. This is a moment where we must stand toger as a nation and be united in our response to this brazen threat," Dr Singh said. 

Advising government, Manmohan Singh said, "We remind Government that disinformation is substitute for diplomacy to decisive leadership. truth cant be suppressed by having pliant allies spout comforting but false statements. Prime Minister must always be mindful of implications of his words and declarations on our Nation's security as also strategic and territorial interests." former Prime Minister's statement comes in a manner that indicates that Congress party is speaking in multiple voices, with Manmohan Singh calling for unity even as Rahul Gandhi is accused of peddling mistruths and low jibes.

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Rahul's swipe at PM Modi over LAC face-off

A day after accusing Prime Minister of having "surrendered" Indian territory to Chinese aggression, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at him on Sunday, saying "Narendra Modi is actually Surender Modi". Rahul took dig at Prime Minister in a tweet, wherein he tagged an article in a foreign publication with headline -- "India's appeasement policy toward China unravels".

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Congress leader had accused PM Modi on Saturday of having "surrendered" Indian territory to Chinese aggression, after latter's remarks made at an all-party meeting that neir is anyone inside India's territory r has anyone captured its posts. " PM has surrendered Indian territory to Chinese aggression. If land was Chinese: Why were our soldiers killed? Where were y killed," he had asked on Twitter, highlighting Prime Minister's comments.

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A statement issued by government after Friday's all-party meeting called by Prime Minister to discuss situation at Si-India border in Ladakh said, "At outset, Prime Minister clarified that neir is anyone inside our territory r is any of our posts captured." Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said attempts are being made to give a "mischievous interpretation" to Modi's remarks made at all-party meet.

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Update: In a move that reconciles his own line of attack with Manmohan Singh's, Rahul Gandhi has tweeted following -

(With PTI inputs)