Washington: In a strong message to China, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has said that India will not spare anyone if it suffers losses as India has emerged as a powerful country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has the potential to be among the top three economies of the world. is headed towards.
Rajnath Singh in his address to the Indian-American community in San Francisco also sent a subtle message to the US that New Delhi does not believe in the “zero-sum game” diplomacy and that its relations with one country are not at the cost of another. Could be
The Defense Minister was here in Washington DC to attend the India US 2+2 Ministerial Meeting. Thereafter, he traveled to Hawaii for meetings at the Indopacom headquarters and then to San Francisco.
At a reception hosted in his honor by the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, the Defense Minister told a select gathering about the valor shown by Indian soldiers along the border with China.
“I cannot say openly what they (Indian soldiers) did and what decisions we (government) took. But I can say with certainty that a message has been sent (to China) that if India suffers, India will not spare anyone.
The Ladakh border standoff between Indian and Chinese armies began on May 5, 2020, following violent clashes in the Pangong Lake areas. The face-off escalated after the Galwan Valley clashes on June 15, 2020. 20 Indian soldiers and more than Chinese soldiers were killed in the clashes.
India and China have so far held 15 rounds of military talks to resolve the eastern Ladakh standoff. As a result of the talks, the two sides have since last year pulled back troops on the northern and southern banks of Pangong Lake and in the Gogra area.
Without making any direct reference to US pressure with regard to Russia due to Ukraine war, Rajnath Singh said India does not believe in “zero-sum game” diplomacy.
He said that if India has good relations with one country, it does not mean that its relations with any other country will deteriorate. India has never adopted this kind of diplomacy. India will never adopt it (this kind of diplomacy). We do not believe in the zero-sum game in international relations.
His remarks came amid some unease in Washington over India’s position on the Ukraine crisis and its decision to purchase concessional Russian oil.
“India’s image has changed. India’s pride has increased. No power in the world can stop India from becoming the top three economy of the world in the next few years.
In his address to the Indian community, Rajnath Singh said that in the past, if any country in the world wanted to develop and prosper, they always thought of establishing a vibrant trade with India.
first published:April 16, 2022, 8:21 am