SOURCE: Times Now Digital
Amid ongoing tension with China, Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla, on Friday said that it cannot be business as usual if borders between the two countries are tense. Speaking at a time when Indian Army has responded to Chinese provocations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Shringla said that while India remains a responsible nation, ‘always willing to talk’, there will be ‘no compromise’ on the territorial integrity of the nation.
“Our businesses can’t go as usual, unless there’s peace in our border areas. Normal bilateral relationship will be affected. There is a linkage between what’s happening on the border and in our larger relationship. It is evident,” Shringla said.
Calling the current scenario in Ladakh an ‘unprecedented situation’, Shringla said that India has lost the lives of soldiers for the first time since 1962.
“As far as we are concerned, there will be no compromise in our sovereignty and territorial integrity. At the same time, as a responsible nation, we are always willing to talk. Our communication lines are open,” he added.
Army chief visits forward posts, Rajnath Singh to meet Chinese counterpart
Meanwhile, Chief of Army Staff, General MM Naravane concluded his two-day visit to Leh on Friday. Naravane, who reached Leh on September 3 visited forward areas to undertake a firsthand assessment of situation along LAC, the Indian Army said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is slated to meet his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meet in Moscow later during the day. Earlier, while speaking at the meeting, Singh called for a need to abide by international laws for peace in the region. He also called for a need to collectively battle terrorism and condemned countries supporting terrorist activities.
