INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
In his statement on the India-China faceoff in eastern Ladakh, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today delivered a well-calibrated message that
the government is committed to peace but also prepared for combat
This comes days after Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met their Chinese counterparts in Moscow even as the
India-China military faceoff continued at the Line of Actual Control."We made it clear to the Chinese side both through diplomatic and
military channels that China was, by such actions, attempting to unilaterally alter the status quo
It was categorically conveyed that this was unacceptable," Rajnath Singh informed the Lok Sabha before the Congress walked out of the House
demanding a discussion on the issue.The combative tone and body language of Rajnath Singh -- who is known for his measured remarks and calm
demeanour -- betrayed how fluid the military situation was along the LAC.FIRST, WHAT RAJNATH SINGH SAIDDespite the extreme fluidity of
military situation along the LAC, Rajnath Singh mentioned names of some of the friction points
He said, "There are several friction areas in Eastern Ladakh including Gogra, Kongka La and North and South Banks of the Pangong Lake." The
name of Kongka La had not featured in even unofficial briefings by the Indian side earlier.Informing Parliament about the current situation,
Rajnath Singh said, "As of now, the Chinese side has mobilised a large number of troops and armaments along the LAC as well as in the depth
In response to China's actions, our armed forces have also made appropriate counter deployments in these areas to ensure that India's
security interests are fully protected."Making no pretence of hiding behind semantics, as is often seen in diplomacy, Rajnath Singh blamed
China for the current military faceoff along the LAC and India-China tension
He said, "The Chinese actions reflect a disregard of our various bilateral agreements
The amassing of the troops by China goes against the 1993 and 1996 Agreements.""Respecting and strictly observing the Line of Actual Control
is the basis for peace and tranquility in the border areas and explicitly recognized in both 1993 and 1996 agreements," he said.Rajnath
Singh said, "While our armed forces abide scrupulously by it, this has not been reciprocated by the Chinese side
Their actions have led to face-offs and frictions from time to time along the LAC."The two agreements that Rajnath Singh repeatedly
mentioned in his statement -- 1993 and 1996 agreements -- marked the first formal pacts between India and China to ensure military peace
between the two countries.1993 LAC AGREEMENTThe 1993 agreement is first pact that formalised the LAC between India and China
This agreement is crucial for keeping the LAC a friction-free zone.It says, "Neither side shall use or threaten to use force against the
Pending an ultimate solution to the boundary question between the two countries, the two sides shall strictly respect and observe the line
of actual control between the two sides
No activities of either side shall overstep the line of actual control."1996 NO-FIRE AGREEMENTThe 1996 agreement is more specific in keeping
the LAC a shelling-free zone
It says neither side shall open fire within two kilometres of the LAC
It further calls for minimum military presence including keeping deployment of tanks, artillery guns, and missiles to mutually agreed
levels.However, these are not the only pacts between India and China for border or LAC management
There are four more.PACTS THAT RAJNATH DIDN'T MENTIONThere is a 2005 Protocol on Modalities for the Implementation of Confidence Building
Measures in the Military Field Along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China Border Areas
It was signed to implement previous agreements on border management.The Agreement on the Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for the
Settlement of the China-India Boundary Question was signed in 2005
It says, "The two sides will resolve the boundary question through peaceful and friendly consultations."In 2012 came up another pact called,
the Establishment of a Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on China-India Border Affairs
It was aimed at maintaining peace and tranquility in the India-China border areas.And, finally the Border Defense Cooperation Agreement was
Article VI explicitly prohibits one side from actively following or tailing patrols of another side.Article VIII of this agreement says what
is to be done in a face-off situation
"If the border defence forces of the two sides come to a face-to-face situation in areas where there is no common understanding of the Line
of Actual Control, both sides shall exercise maximum self-restraint, refrain from any provocative actions, not use force or threaten to use
force against the other side, treat each other with courtesy and prevent exchange of fire or armed conflict," it says.Rajnath Singh said
China reneged on bilateral agreements post-April by making massive troop deployment near the LAC, and attempting transgressions to change
the status quo in the region
Rajnath Singh particularly highlighted the Galwan Valley incident of June 15-16, when the Chinese side went bank on the agreement arrived at
local military commanders' level for disengagement.
