Defence ministry factchecks Rahul Gandhi, but Congress fires another salvo

Hours after senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the government of ceding Indian territory to Chinese, the defence ministry has refuted the charges, stating that the government reposes full faith in the capabilities of the armed forces in countering any Chinese misadventure.

Hours after senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the government of ceding Indian territory to Chinese, the defence ministry has said that India has not conceded any territory as a result of this agreement. 
 

On the contrary, it has enforced observance and respect for LAC and prevented any unilateral change in the status quo, the ministry said.
 

It also mentioned about Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's statement in Parliament that there are some outstanding problems that need to be addressed, including at Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang. 

The outstanding issues are to be taken up within 48 hours of the completion of the Pangong Tso disengagement, the ministry added.
 

Earlier today, Rahul Gandhi questioned the ongoing disengagement process between troops of India and China and claimed that Indian forces had been pulled back to the Finger 3 post even though troops were traditionally stationed at Finger 4.
 

"The effective safeguarding of our national interest and territory in the eastern Ladakh sector has taken place because the Government has reposed full faith in the capabilities of the armed forces. Those who doubt the achievements made possible by the sacrifices of our military personnel are actually disrespecting them," the ministry said.

India and China have begun the disengagement process from northern and southern banks of Pangong Tso from February 10 in an effort to avoid any Galwan-like situation. 
 

The assertion that Indian territory is up to Finger 4 is categorically false, the ministry said, adding that even the Line of Actual Control, as per the Indian perception, is at Finger 8, not at Finger 4. 
 

"That is why India has persistently maintained the right to patrol up to Finger 8, including in the current understanding with China," the ministry said.

Permanent posts of both sides at the north bank of Pangong Tso are longstanding and well-established. On the Indian side, it is Dhan Singh Thapa Post near Finger 3 and on the Chinese side, east of Finger 8. 
 

Later in the evening, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala alleged that the government has undermined the valour of armed forces, who faced Chinese incursions and aggressions.

Commenting on the ministry of defence's statement, the Congress leader said, 'it was a part of 'Operation Cover-up' but the conspiratorial mask of a weak-kneed leadership that India does not deserve, has been uncovered.
 

On Depsang, Surjewala questioned why the Chinese had occupied our territory 18 kilometres inside the LAC up to Y-junction (bottleneck).
 

He claimed that this has also jeopardized one of the most important and strategically placed Air Strips i.e. DBO Air Strip (DBO-Daulat Beg Oldi).

 
"We urge the Prime Minister to not hide behind smokescreens and answer to the people," he added.