India-China border tension: PM Narendra Modi must be mindful of implications of his words, says Manmohan Singh

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be “mindful of the implication of his words” as a controversy raged over his “no intrusion” remark about the violent face-off with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley.

Singh’s remarks evoked a strong riposte from BJP President J P Nadda, who reminded the former prime minister that he belonged to the Congress party that had “helplessly surrendered” 43,000 sq km of Indian territory to the Chinese.

“The Prime Minister must always be mindful of the implications of his words and declarations on our Nation’s security as also strategic and territorial interests,” Singh said in a statement here as Chinese media welcomed Modi’s ‘no intrusion’ remarks contending that it may lead to a de-escalation of tensions between China and India.

Also Read | India-China border tensions live updates: Disinformation not a substitute for diplomacy, decisive leadership, says ex-PM Manmohan Singh

Congress has been maintaining that Modi’s assertions at Friday’s all-party meeting that neither was there any intrusion nor was any Indian post captured ran counter to the statements made by the Indian Army and the External Affairs Ministry.

Singh said the prime minister cannot allow his words to be used by China as a vindication of its position and all organs of the government should work together to tackle this crisis and prevent it from escalating further.

“We remind the Government that disinformation is no substitute for diplomacy or decisive leadership. The truth cannot be suppressed by having pliant allies spout comforting but false statements,” the former prime minister said.

Also read — Amid Galwan Valley situation, India-China stand-off on Pangong Tso continues

Singh said the prime minister and the government should rise to the occasion to ensure justice for Colonel B Santosh and the army jawans who made the supreme sacrifice and resolutely defended the nation’s territorial integrity.

“To do any less would be a historic betrayal of the people’s faith,” the former prime minister said.

“At this moment, we stand at historic crossroads. Our Government’s decisions and actions will have serious bearings on how the future generations perceive us,” Singh said.

BJP President J P Nadda criticised Singh’s statement and accused the Congress of repeatedly insulting the security forces and questioning their valour.

“Dear Dr. Singh and Congress Party, Please stop insulting our forces repeatedly, questioning their valour. You did this post the air strikes and surgical strikes. Please understand the meaning of national unity, especially in these times. It is never too late to improve,” Nadda said.

Nadda also reminded Singh that he belonged to the Congress party that had “helplessly surrendered” 43,000 sq km of Indian territory to the Chinese.

Congress has been maintaining that Modi’s assertions at Friday’s all party meeting that neither was there any intrusion nor was any Indian post captured ran counter to the statements made by the Indian Army and the External Affairs Ministry.

Singh said the Prime Minister cannot allow his words to be used by China as a vindication of its position and all organs of the Government should work together to tackle this crisis and prevent it from escalating further.

Singh said the prime minister and the government should rise to the occasion to ensure justice for Col, B Santosh and the army jawans who made the supreme sacrifice and resolutely defended the nation’s territorial integrity.

“To do any less would be a historic betrayal of the people’s faith,” the former prime minister said.

Also read — Opposition MPs demand briefing on Galwan incident, Parliamentary panel meeting; BJP members oppose

Singh said China was brazenly and illegally seeking to claim parts of Indian territory such as the Galwan Valley and the Pangong Tso Lake by committing multiple incursions between April 2020 till date.

“We cannot and will not be cowed down by threats and intimidation nor permit a compromise with our territorial integrity,” said Singh.

The former prime minister said this was a moment where “we must stand together as a nation and be united in our response to this brazen threat.”