By Team BiharConnect
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday advised Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be always mindful of the implications of his words on national security as China may use his statement as vindication of its position on Gulwan Valley.
“China is brazenly and illegally seeking to claim parts of Indian territory such as the Galwan Valley and the Pangong Tso Lake by committing multiple incursions between April 2020 till date. We cannot and will not be cowed down by threats and intimidation nor permit a compromise with our territorial integrity,” Singh said.
“The Prime Minister cannot allow them to use his words as a vindication of their position and must ensure that all organs of the Government work together to tackle this crisis and prevent it from escalating further,” the former prime minister added.
In an all party meeting called to discuss the situation in Gulwan Valley, where 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a voilent clash with Chinese forces on June 15th – 16th, Prime Minister Modi had said that no intrusion had taken place into Indian territory. The opposition parties have attacked the prime minister for this statement demanding answers about how the Indian soldiers were killed when there was no incursion into the Indian territory.
“Nobody has intruded into our border, neither is anybody there now, nor have our posts been captured,” Modi had said during the virtual meeting with political parties.
However, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had said that the Chinese side tried to change the status quo of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) by erecting a structure in Gulwan valley.
The statement made by Prime Minister Modi during the all-party meeting seemed contradictory with the statements made by his cabinet colleagues.
Former Prime Minister Singh advised Modi to be mindful of the implications of his words. “At this moment, we stand at historic cross-roads. Our Government’s decisions and actions will have serious bearings on how the future generations perceive us. Those who lead us bear the weight of a solemn duty. And in our democracy that responsibility rests with the office of the Prime Minister,” Singh said in a statement.
“The Prime Minister must always be mindful of the implications of his words and declarations on our Nation’s security as also strategic and territorial interests,” he added.
Singh sought justice for Col Santosh Babu and other soldiers who were killed during the violent clashes in Gulwan Valley. ‘We call upon the Prime Minister and the Government to rise to the occasion, to ensure justice for Col. B. Santosh Babu and our jawans who have made the ultimate sacrifice and resolutely defended our territorial integrity. To do any less would be a historic betrayal of the people’s faith.”
“We remind the Government that disinformation is no substitute for diplomacy or decisive leadership. The truth cannot be suppressed by having pliant allies spout comforting but false statements,” the former prime minister added.
Full Text of Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s Statement
We, the Nation, lost twenty brave soldiers in the Galwan Valley, Ladakh on June 15th-16th, 2020. They laid down their lives in the ultimate act of sacrifice, valour and duty to our country. Our brave hearts defended the motherland till their last breath and for that we owe them, and their families, our eternal gratitude. However, their sacrifice cannot be allowed to be in vain.
At this moment, we stand at historic cross-roads. Our Government’s decisions and actions will have serious bearings on how the future generations perceive us. Those who lead us bear the weight of a solemn duty. And in our democracy that responsibility rests with the office of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister must always be mindful of the implications of his words and declarations on our Nation’s security as also strategic and territorial interests.
China is brazenly and illegally seeking to claim parts of Indian territory such as the Galwan Valley and the Pangong Tso Lake by committing multiple incursions between April 2020 till date. We cannot and will not be cowed down by threats and intimidation nor permit a compromise with our territorial integrity. The Prime Minister cannot allow them to use his words as a vindication of their position and must ensure that all organs of the Government work together to tackle this crisis and prevent it from escalating further.
This is a moment where we must stand together as a nation and be united in our response to this brazen threat.
We remind the Government that disinformation is no substitute for diplomacy or decisive leadership. The truth cannot be suppressed by having pliant allies spout comforting but false statements.
We call upon the Prime Minister and the Government to rise to the occasion, to ensure justice for Col. B. Santosh Babu and our jawans who have made the ultimate sacrifice and resolutely defended our territorial integrity.
To do any less would be a historic betrayal of the people’s faith.
