Indian Defence Minister India has not conceded any territory: Defence Ministry gives reply to Rahul Gandhi's question on China
New Delhi: The Indian Defence Ministry on Friday said the nation has not conceded any territory to China.
As per a statement issued by the Indian Defence Ministry: "Ministry of Defence has taken note of some misinformed and misleading comments being amplified in the media and on social media regarding the disengagement currently underway at Pangong Tso."
"At the outset, Ministry of Defence reiterates that the factual position has already been clearly communicated by the Raksha Mantri in his statements to both Houses of the Parliament," read the statement.
The ministry said: "Even the Line of Actual Control (LAC), as per the Indian perception, is at Finger 8, not at Finger 4. That is why India has persistently maintained the right to patrol upto Finger 8, including in the current understanding with China."
"Permanent posts of both sides at the north bank of Pangong Tso are longstanding and well-established. On the Indian side, it is Dhan Singh Thapa Post near Finger 3 and on the Chinese side, east of Finger 8. The current agreement provides for cessation of forward deployment by both sides and continued deployment at these permanent posts," the statement said.
"India has not conceded any territory as a result of this agreement. On the contrary, it has enforced observance and respect for LAC and prevented any unilateral change in the status quo," it said.
The Ministry said: "The effective safeguarding of our national interest and territory in the Eastern Ladakh sector has taken place because the Government has reposed full faith in the capabilities of the armed forces. Those who doubt the achievements made possible by the sacrifices of our military personnel are actually disrespecting them."
The Ministry issued the statement after senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi held a news conference where he asked five questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government on the breakthrough announced on Thursday on the standoff between Indian and Chinese forces in Ladakh.
He reportedly alleged that PM Modi has "ceded" Indian territory to the Chinese.
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