KINS Desk
Srinagar, July 17 (KINS): Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Leh Friday and interacted with Indian Army soldiers at Lukung post.
According to news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) during the interaction, Singh said talks between India and China are underway to resolve issues and that no force in the world can take away land from India.
The Defence Minister was accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and Army chief Gen M M Naravane on Friday. Singh was originally scheduled to visit Ladakh on July 3 to carry out a comprehensive review of the security scenario in the region in wake of the border row with China, but the trip was deferred.
“Talks are underway to resolve the border dispute (between India & China) and they should resolve issues, but to what extent it can be resolved, I cannot guarantee,” said the Defence Minister.
“No force in the world can take away land from India. India is not a weak country. We are determined to protect every inch of our land,” said Singh at a forward base in eastern Ladakh.
Singh, assured the troops that their sacrifice will not go in vain. “We will not allow the sacrifice of soldiers to go in vain. National pride is our strength; nobody can hurt it. Your bravery and sacrifice will always inspire us.”
Rajnath Singh is on two-day visit to Leh, Ladakh and Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Rajnath Singh took to Twitter earlier today and posted: “For a two day visit, leaving for Leh, Ladakh and Jammu-Kashmir. I shall be visiting the forward areas in the region to review the situation at the borders and also interact with the Armed Forces personnel deployed there. Looking forward to it.”
Sources told KINS that defence Minister Rajnath Singh after Leh visit left for Srinagar. This is Defence Minister’s First visit after the stand-off between India and China in the region.(KINS)
