Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrives in Leh to carry out security review
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Leh on Friday (July 17) on a day-long visit to carry out a security review in the region, in wake of the border row with China.
Singh is set to visit Stakna and Lukung forward areas and will be accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and Army chief Gen M.M. Naravane on the visit. He was originally scheduled to visit Ladakh on July 3 but the trip was deferred.
Before leaving, he took to Twitter to say, “Leaving for Leh on a two-day visit to Ladakh and Jammu-Kashmir. I shall be visiting the forward areas to review the situation at the borders and also interact with the Armed Forces personnel deployed in the region. Looking forward to it.”
Leaving for Leh on a two day visit to Ladakh and Jammu-Kashmir. I shall be visiting the forward areas to review the situation at the borders and also interact with the Armed Forces personnel deployed in the region. Looking forward to it.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 17, 2020
His trip comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s surprise visit to Ladakh on July 3 during which he also addressed troops and signalled the country’s firmness in dealing with the India-China border row.
The Defence Minister Office’s twitter handle posted pictures of Rajnath Singh witnessing para dropping and scoping weapons at Stankna near Leh.
Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh witnessing para dropping and scoping weapons at Stankna near Leh. pic.twitter.com/2vwvjotI7q
— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) July 17, 2020
Indian and Chinese troops were locked in a bitter standoff in multiple locations in eastern Ladakh for over eight weeks since May 5. The tension escalated manifold after the violent clashes in Galwan Valley in which 20 Indian army personnel were killed.
However, following a series of diplomatic and military talks, the two sides began a mutual disengagement process on July 6 and withdrew troops from most of the friction points.
