Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Monday lauded the valour of Indian armed forces deployed along the LAC for standing up against the Chinese aggression in eastern Ladakh.
Addressing the 93rd annual general meeting of FICCI, Singh indirectly blamed China for violating established agreements and pushing power 'not just in Himalayas', but across the 'Indo-Pacific'.
He said our soldiers fought the Chinese military with "utmost bravery," forcing it to go back.
Rajnath was referring to the bloody skirmish between Indian and Chinese forces in the Ladakh's Galwan Valley last June. 20 Indian soldiers lost their life in the clashes. China did not confirm casualties on its side, but several sources have put the number to about 35.
Commenting on the perceived disparity between the Indian and Chinese militaries, Rajnath Singh said "Whenever there is a situation at the LAC, the most obvious outcome is a comparison between India and China’s military strength."
"Unprovoked aggression on our Himalayan frontiers is a reminder of how the world is changing, how existing agreements are being challenged, how power is being asserted not just in Himalayas but across Indo-Pacific," he added.
He also pointed out on cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan, saying "We have been victims of cross-border terrorism, yet have fought the scourge alone even when there was no one to support us but later, they understood we were right about Pakistan being the home of terrorism."
The defence minister also brought up the issue of farmers agitation and the reforms in the agriculture sector in his FICCI address. He said the government is always ready for dialogues.
"There is no question of taking retrograde steps against our agricultural sector ever. The recent reforms have been undertaken with the best interests of India’s farmers in mind," Rajnath said, referring on the recently enacted laws. He said the Centre is willing to allay misgivings of farmers, whose interests are a top priority for the government.
