The South India Times
(MS Shanker)
How far is the Indian opposition’s narrative being quite often pedaled in the TV news channels over the Modi government’s failure to restrain expansionist China, true? An undated video that has gone viral on social clearly shows how resolute are our army in guarding the borders and showcases otherwise. In the video, the brave Indian soldiers were chasing away the intruding People’s Liberation Army (PLA) the Chinese. Shouldn’t some of the Opposition leaders who are known for their ‘alliance’ with either Pakistan or China, when it comes to the protection of national security and integrity, restrain themselves, instead of getting more and more exposed?
For example, the Sonia-Vadra Congress, which has signed an MoU with the Chinese Communist Party (CPP) and also allegedly received Rs 1.32 crores for so-called research to the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF), or where the interests of Abdullah and Mufti’s lie, or both the Left parties, is not only disgusting but getting isolated from the nationalists. Unlike in the past, the majority of Indians thanks to aggressive visual or social media, could access the truth, which had hitherto been curtailed by the Congress during their six-decade rule at the Centre.
None can dare gloss over or afford to ignore the fact that it was the erstwhile Congress government that laid restrictions on the media in reporting facts, especially against China in the East. It is laughable to see ignorant Congressmen like Manish Tiwari or Digvijay Singh like ilks, making statements that undermine the Indian armed forces’ abilities and demoralize them. AK Anthony, who had the longest stint as the Defence Minister, during the UPA-II at the Centre, expressed the government’s inability to build infrastructure all along the Indo-China border from Ladak down to Uttarakhand, more so in critical Arunachal Pradesh, which is being eyed by expansionist China from time immemorial.
Is the Opposition blind to the infrastructure being built by the present BJP government at the Centre, like roads, tunnels, bunkers, airstrips, etc to enable quick troop movement all along 3500 long? If the Indian troops could confront intruding PLA troops either at Galwan or Doklam or the recent Tawang on December 9, is the result of that.And the Opposition’s baseless llegations over the PLA penetrating Indian space and occupying Indian land either in Ladak or Arunachal Pradesh is nothing but a blatant lie. Can Morans in Congress and other Opposition parties are unaware of these facts? China retained control of about 14,700 square miles (38,000 square km) of territory in Aksai Chin after the 1962 conflict
China has built villages on their side of the India-China border abutting Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang, and the satellite images show that the PLA army has also constructed a road on that side.
Who is the largest landowner in India after the government? the Catholic Church of India is the biggest landowner in India. It owns roughly around 20,000 crore to 50,000 crore rupees of land.
Of the territory it occupied in the war, China retained control of Aksai Chin in the western sector of the disputed border but, although it took control of almost all of the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA) or today’s Arunachal Pradesh in eastern sector, it withdrew 20 kilometers north of the McMahon Line.
The Indian Army’s three units belonging to different infantry regiments thwarted the Chinese troops’ bid to change the status quo on the Line of Actual Control or LAC at Yangtse in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh on December 9.
It’s time for all those who argue that the Indian soldier’s hands are tied at the back to fight the PLA on Indo-China the borders should remove the blinkers from their eyes. One can afford to be blind to the facts of how the Modi government in a record time could strengthen armed forces to take on the mighty Chinese in the East, besides giving a bloody nose to Pakistan in the West if it dare any misadventure. Ever since the BJP-led NDA government came to power in 2014, India’s military gain more muscle than it ever before. From fighter aircraft and heavy artillery to anti-submarine aircraft and stealth frigates, India’s armed forces are being strengthened like never before. The Modi government also drastically improved the living conditions of soldiers, especially in remote and inhospitable areas.Added to that, much of this equipment is being manufactured indigenously under Modi’s flagship ‘Make in India’ initiative. The latest indigenously manufactured system that had been delivered to the Indian Army is the K9 Vaira-T 155 mm self-propelled howitzer made by Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
Interestingly, Prime Minister had also dedicated 10 of these howitzers to the nation recently, while inaugurating L&T’s Armoured Systems Complex (ASC) at Hazira in Gujarat. The ASC is a high-tech state-of-the-art complex designed to make and integrate advanced armored platforms like self-propelled howitzers, infantry combat vehicles, combat vehicles, and battle tanks. Ten K9 Vajra- T self-propelled howitzers have just been delivered to the army and another 90 will be delivered over the next 22 months
This being a fact, why are some so-called defense experts issuing fear-mongering reports stating that Indian forces don’t have ammunition to fight a long-drawn war, and as of now have will not last 10 days? Is it not a blatant lie as that was based on the CAG report, which has taken into account the ammunition stock till 2013? The CAG report indeed slammed the defense establishment for the dismal management of ammunition in the Army, expressing shock that there was total “disregard” of the policy to hold ammunition for 40 days of “intense” fighting. “In 50 percent of the types of ammunition, the holding was critical or less than 10 days in March 2013,” said CAG.
But, the alarming CAG report covered the status of ammunition reserves till March 2013. But, the new NDA government at the Centre had taken a slew of initiatives over the last half a decade to offset that shortfall.
One may wish to recall these fear-mongers that the then Raksha Mantri, Manohar Parrikar, who highlighted several steps initiated by the government such as placing the second Five Year Ammunition Roll on indent for the period 2014-19 on Ordnance Factory Board.
It also ensures financial powers to the Army vice-chief, for procurement that could be done much faster. According to a top defense ministry official, this is the revenue route for in-service equipment and there will be no need to head to the Defence Acquisition Council (headed by Defence Minister) or the Cabinet Committee on Security, for procuring such critical equipment. Against that backdrop, India today not only stands tall and firm but is willing to defend the country’s borders much more resolutely and mighty China can roll over India if we dare challenge, which is far from the truth.
Meanwhile, India is set to test Agni V which has 5000 kms range. Indian army has already inducted Rafale fighter jets and now our air force is also swung into action to petrol Indo-China border. Hence, Tiwari and Owaisi besides others do not make a fool of themselves by moving adjournment motions for ‘better clarity from the government. Instead, they are better advised to travel to spend a few days on Indo China border under trying conditions along with the Indian troops for them to have first-hand experience. Or else, their parties may have to pay a heavy price in the upcoming elections, as the Indian electorate is sick to hear such falsehoods from these discredited leaders and parties.
