A month after a clash between Indian and Chinese troops along the LAC in Tawang sector, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday to inaugurate a series of development projects. One of the biggest highlights of his trip was the launch of a strategically important project of Siyom Bridge.
The Siyom Bridge is a 100-metre ‘Class-70’ steel arch superstructure constructed on the Along-Yinkiong Road. The bridge is militarily significant since it will enable faster movement of troops, heavy machinery and weapons like howitzers and mechanised vehicles, to forward areas of the Upper Siang district, Tuting and Yinkiong regions along the Line Of Actual Control with China.
Speaking at the event, the Defence Minister asserted that India has every capability to thwart challenges along the border to protect the country’s territory. Singh also said India never encourages war, and always wants to maintain cordial relations with its neighbours.
However, “the Indian Army has the capability to face any challenge along the border”, and is ready to deal with any situation, he said during the inauguration of a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) bridge in Boleng.
“India is a country which never encourages war and always wants to maintain cordial relations with its neighbours….. This is our philosophy inherited from Lord Rama and from the teachings of Lord Buddha. The country has every capability to face any kind of situation if provoked,” Singh said.
Additionally, Singh virtually inaugurated 27 projects of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). He also released the BRO Vision and New Tech Handbook. The Defense Minister met and interacted with the local people in the state.
The infrastructural boost in the region comes as the border dispute between India and China worsened over the last few years, the recent being the Tawang clashes which saw multiple soldiers being injured.
In a statement in Parliament, the Defence Minister said that the Indian Army bravely stopped the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops from encroaching on Indian territory, and forced them to withdraw to their posts.
“On December 9, 2022, PLA troops tried to transgress the LAC in the Yangtse area of Tawang sector and unilaterally change the status quo. The Chinese attempt was contested by our troops in a firm and resolute manner. The ensuing face-off led to a physical scuffle in which the Indian Army bravely prevented the PLA from transgressing into our territory and compelled them to return to their posts,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in the Lok Sabha.
The Minister said that the issue had been taken up with China through diplomatic channels.
“After this incident, on December 11, the local commander of the area held a flag meeting with his Chinese counterpart under the established system and discussed this incident. The Chinese side was refused all such actions and told to maintain peace at the border,” Singh told the Lok Sabha.
The Defence Minister said that no Indian troops were killed or seriously injured in the incident.
He said, “In this face-off, a few soldiers on both sides suffered injuries. I’d like to tell this House that none of our soldiers died or suffered any serious injury. Due to the timely intervention of Indian military commanders, PLA soldiers have retreated to their own locations.”
“This matter has also been taken up with China through diplomatic channels. I want to assure the House that our forces are committed to guarding our borders and ready to thwart any attempt that will be made to challenge it,” Rajnath Singh said.
“I am confident this House will respect the capability, valour and commitment of our armed forces, Singh added.
(With inputs from ANI)
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