Days after China pact, Rajnath Singh to open today museum in Arunachal | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: India will continue the process to restore peace along the Line of Actual Control on the basis of the consensus achieved with China, defence minister Rajnath Singh said Wednesday, during his ongoing two-day trip to Tezpur in Assam and Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh to review the operational situation and celebrate Diwali with troops.
Singh’s visit to Tawang is significant since it is one of the major flashpoints between India and China, with the latter claiming it as part of ‘South Tibet’. On Dec 9, 2022, Chinese troops had tried to transgress across the LAC at Yangtse in the Tawang sector to unilaterally change the status quo, which had led to a major physical clash between the rival troops leaving several injured on both sides.
Speaking at a ‘Barakhana’ at the 4 Corps HQ in Tezpur, even as India and China completed disengagement at Depsang and Demchok in eastern Ladakh on Wednesday, Singh said, “India and China were in diplomatic and military talks to resolve their conflicts in some areas along the LAC. We have reached a consensus following our continuous efforts.”
“We achieved this success due to your discipline and courage,” Singh told soldiers, adding that the govt would continue this process of peace restoration on the basis of the consensus.
“Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee used to say we can change our friends but not our neighbours. We believe in keeping cordial relations with our neighbours. This is India’s clear policy. However, sometimes situations arise and one has to ensure the safety and security of the borders. Keeping in mind the interests of our forces, the govt will take necessary steps in this process of peace restoration,” he said.
Singh will visit Tawang on Thursday to inaugurate the Museum of Valour dedicated to Major Ralengnao Bob Khathing and unveil a statue of Sardar Patel.
“The heroic deed of Major Ralengnao Bob Khathing, who bravely led an expedition in February 1951 to bring the Indian administration to Tawang, has no parallel in human history. What ‘Iron Man’ Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel did as India’s first home minister by integrating several princely states into the country leaves us forever indebted to him,” Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu said on X. The two monuments dedicated to the great and brave souls will always remind people of their critical contribution to the country’s integrity and sovereignty, Khandu said. In Tezpur, Singh was briefed by Army commanders on infrastructure development along the LAC and the employment of cutting-edge military equipment and technology to enhance operational efficiency.