Rajnath expected to answer questions in RS on Chinese incursions

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to field questions in Parliament on Thursday (September 17) on China’s incursions in eastern Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control.

The Opposition has been upset over shrinking time for discussions in the House, and the government has agreed to give clarifications over some of the issues, especially those concerning national security, agitating the minds of the MPs.

Singh is likely to speak in the Rajya Sabha on what the government calls China’s provocation along the de-facto border between the two countries.

The Defence Minister on Tuesday spoke on the subject in the Lok Sabha, stressing that India is “very serious about issues of sovereignty” and the country is prepared for “all contingencies” to ensure that it is maintained.

He had also spoken about a meeting he had with his Chinese counterpart at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting hosted by Russia. Singh said he made it clear that India wants to resolve the issue in a peaceful manner and “wants the Chinese side to work with us”. But “there should also be no doubt about our determination to protect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

The Congress has repeatedly hit out at the government on the Chinese attempt to grab the Indian territory, right from the day the monsoon session of parliament session began on Monday.

Related news: China illegally occupying 38,000 sq km in Ladakh: Rajnath tells Parliament

The government’s refusal to a discussion after the minister’s statement led to a Congress walkout. The party, which had repeatedly demanded that the government explain the “real situation” in Ladakh, on Tuesday carried placards that read: “We want a discussion on China and PM must answer”.

As the Speaker refused to allow the party’s leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Chowdhury to speak, the Congress members staged a walkout to register their protest.

The escalation in eastern Ladakh has worsened since the start of summers. On June 15, 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a clash with the PLA – a first in more than four decades. Since then, the two countries have amassed troops and weaponry near the LAC, resulting in firing incidents in recent days. The Indian troops have regained several heights in what is being described as pre-emptive action.