New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said China is preparing for war but the Government of India is sleeping and trying to hide the facts.
“China is preparing for war, not for an incursion. See their pattern of weapons. They are preparing for war. Our government is not accepting it. Government of India is working on events, not on strategy,” Gandhi said while addressing a press conference in Rajasthan on the occasion of the 100th day completion of the Bharat Jodo Yatra.
“I warned this government to be careful about China. Look at China’s pattern…they have been making preparations on the Ladakh and Arunachal sides but the government of India is sleeping,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi’s statements come in the wake of the clashes between the Indian and Chinese forces in the Yangste area near Tawang sector.
Last week, a clash between the armies of India and China was reported in the border area of Tawang region in Arunachal Pradesh along the Line of Actual Control.
At least six Indian forces personnel were injured in the clash on December 9, who were later shifted to Guwahati hospital.
Following the clash, Indian and Chinese forces disengaged from the site, and Indian and Chinese regional military commanders held a flag meeting to restore peace in the area.
As many as 300 heavily prepared Chinese Army (PLA) soldiers were sent to LAC in Tawang Sector during the clash with Indian army personnel on December 9, news agency ANI reported last week quoting sources.
“On December 09, 2022, People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops contacted the LAC in Tawang sector, which was contested by own troops in a firm and resolute manner. This face-off led to minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides,” the Indian army earlier said in a statement after reports of the incident. “Both sides immediately disengaged from the area.”
As a follow-up of the incident, Commanders on both sides in the areas held a Flag Meeting to discuss the issue in accordance with structured mechanisms to restore peace and tranquillity, the army stated.
It noted that in certain areas along the LAC in the Tawang sector, there are areas of differing perception, wherein both sides patrol the area up to their claim lines. This has been the trend since 2006, the army statement added.
Pertinently, India and China have been locked into a military stand-off since early 2020 when Chinese soldiers crossed the border, called the Line of Actual Control (LAC), and occupied territory claimed by India.
Though the stand-off is concentrated in Eastern Ladakh, clashes have also taken place at LAC in Northeast India. The stand-off turned bloody on June 15, 2020, when 20 Indian army personnel and unspecified number of Chinese personnel were killed in a clash at Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh.
