Broad Consensus Reached with China to Resolve LAC Conflicts Based on Equality and Mutual Security: Rajnath Singh

After the important agreement between India and China, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has expressed hope that the talks will progress. He said that the government would try its best to move the talks forward, but we will have to wait a little for this. The Defence Minister made it clear that now the armies of both countries have retreated from the LAC and there have been agreements regarding patrolling soldiers and grazing animals.

Rajnath Singh said, "To resolve the conflicts in some areas on the LAC, talks have been going on between India and China at both diplomatic and military levels. After the recent talks, a broad consensus has been reached to restore the ground situation. This consensus is based on equality and mutual security. This consensus also includes the right to patrol and graze in traditional areas. Based on this consensus, the process of withdrawal is almost complete. Our effort will be to move the matter forward even beyond disengagement, but for that, we will have to wait a little longer." India wants peace with China through consensus

Rajnath Singh, while addressing the Indian Army soldiers at the headquarters of Gajraj Corps in Tezpur on the occasion of 'Bada Khana', praised the efforts of the soldiers in the peace process. He said, "We want to continue this peace process through consensus. Our former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had said that we can change friends, but not neighbors. We want to maintain good relations with our neighbors and this is India's clear policy." He said that although sometimes such situations arise that a struggle has to be made to protect the country's borders, the government is making every possible effort to maintain peace.

He said, "This is not a small thing, it is a very big thing. We have achieved all this only because of you. This mutual dialogue has been possible because everyone is aware of your courage and valor." Singh said that the Northeast is very important from a security point of view. He said, "This region is as beautiful from the natural point of view as it is challenging from the geographical point of view." The Defence Minister said that India and China have been in talks for a long time to resolve the issues. He said, "This is a major development related to the border on the LAC (Line of Actual Control). After our efforts, we have reached a consensus on the ground situation on the LAC."

Indian Army sources said on Wednesday that after a significant agreement between India and China, the withdrawal of troops from two places of deadlock on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh - Demchok and Depsang - has been completed and patrolling will be started in these places soon. Singh was to go to Tawang during the day but had to cancel his visit due to bad weather. Now he will go there on Thursday. 'Bada Khana' is an event of a banquet in which personnel of all ranks eat together.