Array
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday highlighted India’s ‘strong and firm’ counter-response to China, which tried to unilaterally change the status quo on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in May 2020, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, and more recently in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh in December, last year.
Speaking at the Tughlaq’s 53rd Annual Day Function, the External Affairs minister said, « On the Northern borders, China is seeking to change the status quo by bringing large forces, violating our agreements. Despite Covid, remember, this happened in May 2020. Our counter-response was strong and firm. »
He said the Indian forces deployed along the border were continuing to safeguard the frontiers in the most extreme and harshest weather conditions.
« These troops deployed in thousands, safeguard our frontiers in the most extreme terrain and harshest weather, » he added.
Expanding on why India mattered more to the world now, Jaishankar said the world saw in India’s response to China that it is « a nation that will not be coerced and will do what it takes to ensure its national security ».
He also emphasized the geo-political significance and geo-strategic location of India.
« In India’s case, geography has added to the case made by the history of its relevance. The Indian peninsula has a visible centrality to the ocean named after it and there is a continental dimension as well. Without our active participation, no trans-Asia connectivity initiative can really take off. The Indian Ocean is poised to assume even greater geo-political significance today. How well India leverages its location is a considerable part of its relevance to the world.
