Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today embarked on a two-day trip to Arunachal Pradesh where he will hold interactions with soldiers deployed on the India-China border.
He is accompanied by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju. Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh is also likely to visit Tawang in this time frame.
Before the visit, the Defence Minister made the following announcement on his X handle. Therein, he divulged his eagerness to meet Armed Forces personnel who had been deployed in the forward area.
"With great expectations," Rajnath Singh tweeted, adding: "Leaving New Delhi for Tawang on a two-day visit to Arunachal Pradesh. Looking forward to interact with Armed Forces personnel and attend the inaugural ceremony of a museum dedicated to brave Indian Army officer Major Ralengnao Bob Khathing,".
Major Ralengnao Bob Khathing played a significant role in bringing Tawang under the Indian Union and the museum is dedicated to his bravery.
Rajnath Singh visit Tawang, as a breakthrough has been achieved on patrolling along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh by both India and China. Last week, India announced that it had struck an agreement with China to restore patrolling along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh. China too had confirmed this. The decision is seen as a breakthrough in ending the four-year long military standoff that followed violent clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in May 2020.
Defence Minister visits forward posts in Arunachal Pradesh in October 2023 also. He made on-ground assessment of the operational preparedness of the armed forces along the LAC. Shastra Puja was carried out with the troops and Dussehra was also celebrated with them. The minister also met the soldiers deployed at the frontline locations along the LAC.
The past couple of years have made Tawang one of the key points of friction between India and China, most recently in the Yangtse region where Indian Army and PLA troops clashed in December 2022, causing injuries to both sides. The Army then said in a statement, "On December 09, 2022, People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops contacted the LAC which was contested by own troops in a firm and resolute manner. This face-off led to minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides.Both sides immediately disengaged from the area."
Rajnath Singh in March celebrated Holi with the soldiers in Leh and appreciated them for having safeguarded the country against enemies in such severe climatic conditions.
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