Parliament: Opposition MPs speak on Ladakh crisis in Rajya Sabha

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made a statement in the Rajya Sabha regarding the Ladakh standoff on Thursday, the fourth day of the Monsoon Session. Opposition MPs were allowed to speak on the issue this time. When Singh had addressed the Parliament two days ago, Opposition parties had slammed the government for not taking questions on Ladakh.

Among Opposition leaders who spoke on the issue in Rajya Sabha today are AK Antony and Ghulam Nabi Azad (Congress), Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena), Sanjay Singh (AAP), and others.

Defence Minister Singh, in his address, said that China attempted to change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with its provocative military manoeuvres late last month and that there is a mismatch between what Beijing says and does.

In his statement, the minister said India wants a peaceful solution to the boundary issue, but will not shy away from any action required to defend the sovereignty of the country.

While the two sides were engaged in diplomatic and military talks, he said the “Chinese side again engaged in provocative military manoeuvres on the night of 29th and 30th August in an attempt to change the status quo in the South Bank area of Pangong Lake.”

“But yet again, timely and firm actions by our armed forces along the LAC prevented such attempts from succeeding,” he said, adding that, “Unki kathani aur karni alag hai (their actions are at variance with their words”.

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No force in world can stop Indian forces from patrolling on Ladakh border, Defence Minister Singh further asserted in Rajya Sabha.

The Upper House has been adjourned till 9 am on Friday. The Lower House is scheduled to meet at 3 pm. In Lok Sabha, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will move The Taxation and Other Laws (Relaxation and Amendment of Certain Provisions) Bill, 2020.

Bills for consideration and passing in the Lower House are: The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 and The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020.