Manish Tewari accuses Centre of stonewalling discussion on China, appeals to opposition

On Wednesday, Congress Lok Sabha MP Manish Tewari accused Centre of stonewalling a discussion on LAC situation in Parliament. He recalled that 165 members of Lower House of Parliament had participated in a discussion amid Chinese aggression in 1962. Tewari added that most Parliaments in world regularly met during World War I and II. Moreover, he pointed out that Winston Churchill's most famous speeches were made during World War II. According to him, opposition would be failing in its responsibility if it permitted Union government to avoid a debate under garb of "operational sensitivity". 

Read: Rajnath Singh's Statement On LAC Faceoff Angers Congress; Seeks Exposé Of China's Deceit

Defence Minister speaks on LAC faceoff

Making a statement on LAC situation in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh affirmed that Armed Forces were capable of facing any challenge from China. While ackwledging that situation at LAC is very different both in terms of scale of troops involve and number of friction points, he reiterated India's commitment for a peaceful resolution of dispute. Observing that violent conduct of Chinese troops was a violation of all past agreements, he informed MPs that India has done counter deployments in area to safeguard border.

Singh conceded that LAC boundary issue remains unresolved due to reluctance of China to recognise traditional and customary alignment of border. Furrmore, he added that China is in illegal occupation of 38,000 sq. km in Ladakh apart from 5,180 sq. km of Indian territory in PoK ceded by Pakistan in 1963. Ackwledging that this is a complex issue, he highlighted that peace and tranquillity in border areas is imperative for development of bilateral relationship.

He explained that both sides continued to have a differing perception about LAC over last many decades.  LAC faceoff was exacerbated when 20 Indian Army soldiers including a Commanding Officer were martyred in Galwan Valley on June 15, followed by multiple attempts of provocation by Chinese side at end of August. re are friction points in Eastern Ladakh, Gogra, Kongka La and Pangong Lake's rth and south banks. 

Read: India Takes On China & Pakistan For Aggression & Terror Amid Covid; Names Names At UN