PMO slams “motivated propaganda” to misinterpret PM’s remarks on Sino-India face-off in East Ladakh

Prime Minister’s Office on Saturday, June 20 condemned as motivated propaganda to mischievously twist the remarks made by  Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the All-Party Meeting yesterday on the face-off between Indian soldiers and PLA. In a statement, PMO said regarding the transgression of LAC, it was clearly stated that the violence in Galwan on 15 June arose because the Chinese side was seeking to erect structures just across the LAC and refused to desist. The Prime Minister was clear that India would respond firmly to any attempts to transgress the Line of Actual Control. In fact, he specifically emphasized that in contrast to the past neglect of such challenges, Indian forces now decisively counter any violations of LAC, PMO said. Those who tried to transgress our land were taught a befitting lesson by our brave sons of soil said by PM succinctly summing up the ethos and the values of the armed forces. The Prime Minister had assured that the armed forces would leave no stone unturned to protect the borders. This Government is strongly and resolutely committed to the Indian territory as clear from the map of India. The All-Party Meeting was briefed in great detail on some illegal occupation. Over the last 60 years, more than 43,000  sq.km have been yielded under circumstances with which the country is well aware. It was also made clear that this Government will not allow any unilateral change of the LAC. At a time when the brave soldiers are defending the borders, it is unfortunate that an unnecessary controversy is being created to lower their morale. The predominant sentiment at the All-Party Meet was of unequivocal support to the Government and the armed forces at a time of national crisis. The government expressed confidence that the unity of the Indian people will not be undermined by motivated propaganda. The All-Party Meeting was also informed that  Chinese forces have come in much larger strength to the LAC and that the Indian response is commensurate.

The focus of the Prime Minister’s remarks in the All-Party Meet was to apprise the leaders of the events of 15 June at Galwan that led to the loss of lives of 20 Indian military personnel. The Prime Minister paid glowing tributes to the valour and patriotism of the armed forces who repulsed the designs of the Chinese there.
The Prime Minister’s observations that there was no Chinese presence on our side of the LAC pertained to the situation as a consequence of the bravery of the armed forces. The sacrifices of the soldiers of the 16 Bihar Regiment foiled the attempt of the Chinese side to erect structures and also cleared the attempted transgression at this point of the LAC on that day, PMO said.