India-China disengagement row: DM Rajnath Singh declares no land has been lost, disengagement still continues

According to recent reports, DM Rajnath Singh while speaking at Parliament on Thursday declared that disengagement between PLA and the Indian Army has started at Pangong Tso, LAC. As per Defense Minister, the disengagement process is coordinated by local commanders on both sides.

"Our sustained talks with China have led to agreement on disengagement on the north and south banks of Pangong Lake. After this agreement, India-China will remove forward deployments in a phased, coordinated manner.", said Rajnath Singh in Rajya Sabha

DM made it clear that while the Chinese have built military infrastructure close to the LAC & PLA has brought more firepower to the forward areas, the response of the Indian Army has been very strong & adequate. The Indian Army has also built appropriate infrastructure to thwart any China attempt to occupy Indian land.

Making a statement in Rajya Sabha on ‘Present Situation in Eastern Ladakh’. Watch https://t.co/FeTXeH7UPI

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) February 11, 2021

"Many fraction areas are built near LAC in Eastern Ladakh. China has collected heavy force & arms and ammunition near LAC & in the nearby area on their side. Our forces have also adequate & effectively done counter deployment: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh", added DM Rajnath Singh.

Rajnath Singh also made it clear that there should not be any unilateral attempt to change the status-quo at LAC by any side & matters related to border issues should be resolved bilaterally. 

Also Read- Indo-China disengagement row: Ahead of DM Rajnath's speech, CDS Rawat & COAS Naravane reach Parliament

We've begun talks over the North-South bank of Pangong Lake Some issues over deployment at LAC are yet to be resolved, Both sides agreed that complete disengagement be done at the earliest: Rajnath Singh 

As for disengagement at Pangong Tso, Rajnath Singh said, "China will keep its troops to the east of the Finger 8 at the north bank of Pangong Lake. India will keep its troops at its permanent base near Finger 3.".

DM Rajnath also urged the opposition to stand with the ruling government on this issue & not create any false claims as this is a matter of national security and unity of the nation.  

Also Read- Disengagement started at Pangong Tso, both sides to maintain Pre-April 20 situation, Defence Minister

In addition to all of this, DM Rajnath Singh also lauded the Indian Army's bravery and selfless resolve to protect India's sovereignty & integrity at all costs. DM also mentioned that most of the Chinese claims are illegal and will not be accepted by the Indian side at any cost. 

Rajnath Singh made it very clear that while disengagement is being carried out on both sides, but there are certain issues that still remain unresolved & they will be solved through diplomatic channels. Rajnath Singh said that China should understand that strained military relations between PLA & Indian Army also affect economic & bilateral ties between both countries.