98Comment(s)
* The moderation of comments is automated and not cleared manually by indianexpress.com.
Amid talks with China to lower tensions along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that “India is no longer a weak nation” and “national pride” will not be compromised.
Addressing a Jammu and Kashmir virtual rally, Singh said: “While China has expressed the desire to resolve the (LAC) issue through talks, our effort too is to find a solution to the trouble between China and India through talks at the military and diplomatic levels.”
“We will not keep anyone in the dark, neither Parliament nor anyone else. We will disclose everything at an appropriate time,’’ he said, referring to questions being asked by the Opposition Congress on the situation at the Line of Actual Control.
“In a democratic set-up, we understand the importance of the Opposition and we respect them as well… a dispute has arisen between China and India, talks are in progress at the military level,’’ he said.
“India is no longer a weak nation; its power has increased. But we do not want to use this strength to frighten anyone. It is only to secure our country,” he said.
“I can say with confidence that we will not do any sort of compromise with our national pride. I assure you about it,’’ he said.
On Jammu and Kashmir, the Defence Minister mentioned initiatives by the government for development of the new Union Territory in the month after the abrogation of Article 370.
The picture of J&K, he said, will change to such an extent in five years that even people in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir will be envious.
“There will be a demand from PoK itself that we want to live with India, and not with Pakistan… wait for things to come… the day it happens, our Parliament’s resolve (on PoK) will get fulfilled,’’ he said.
📣 The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay updated with the latest headlines
For all the latest India News, download Indian Express App.