Article Posted on : - Jun 28, 2021

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addresses the veterans in Leh, Sunday, June 27, 2021. A PTI Photo

NEW DELHI (PTI):  Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday carried out a comprehensive review of India's military preparedness in eastern Ladakh on the first day of his three-day visit to the region amid a deadlock with China over the next stage of disengagement at several friction points.

The defence minister, accompanied by Army Chief Gen MM Naravane, was given a detailed briefing about the prevailing situation as well as India's combat readiness in the region by top commanders of the Army at the Leh-based headquarters of the 14 Corps, officials said.

Singh was also apprised about various aspects relating to the deployment of troops as well as measures taken to bolster operational readiness to deal with any misadventure by the adversary, they said.

In an interaction with a group of around 300 armed forces veterans including Ashok Chakra awardee Naib Chhering Mutup (Retd) and Maha Vir Chakra winner Colonel Sonam Wangchuk (Retd), Singh said the dedication of Indian soldiers and ex-servicemen towards the country is an "exemplary example".

In Leh, Singh held talks with Lt Governor of Ladakh RK Mathur and met senior elected representatives of Kargil, Leh and Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council with a focus on the overall development of the regions, officials said.

His visit to the sensitive region comes two days after India and China held a fresh round of diplomatic talks to resolve the prolonged military standoff that began in early May last year.

"The #RakshaMantri was briefed on the prevailing security situation and operational preparedness by GOC Fire and Fury Corps," the Army tweeted.

The defence minister is scheduled to visit various key formations and high-altitude bases in the region to assess the ground realities as well as to boost the morale of the troops guarding the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in a hostile environment.

"The dedication of our soldiers and veterans towards the country is an exemplary example. I express my gratitude from the bottom of my heart to all," Singh said during the interaction with the ex-servicemen.

"Our aim is that all of you should be taken care of in the same way you had taken care of the country's security. Despite this, if you have any problems somewhere, then a helpline has been arranged for to address them," he said.

It is also Singh's first visit to eastern Ladakh after the Indian and Chinese militaries pulled back troops, tanks, infantry and other equipment from the Pangong lake areas in February as part of an agreement.

The disengagement process in the remaining friction points including Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang is deadlocked as China is reluctant to withdraw its troops from these areas.

At a virtual meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on border affairs on Friday, India and China agreed to hold the next round of military talks at an early date to achieve the objective of complete disengagement in remaining friction points.

Singh's visit to the region also comes amid fresh sparring between India and China over the standoff.

India on Thursday blamed China for the standoff saying its amassing of a large number of troops close to the border and attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo along the LAC last year were responsible for seriously disturbing peace and tranquillity in the region.

India's response came after China said its military deployment in the region is a normal defence arrangement aimed at "preventing and responding" to "encroachment and threat" on Chinese territory by India.

India and China were locked in a military standoff at multiple friction points in eastern Ladakh since early May last year. However, they completed the withdrawal of troops and weapons from the North and South banks of Pangong lake in February following a series of military and diplomatic talks.

The two sides are now engaged in talks to extend the disengagement process to the remaining friction points. India has been particularly pressing for disengagement of troops in Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang.

According to military officials, each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the Line of Actual Control in the sensitive sector.

There was no visible forward movement in disengagement of troops in the remaining friction points as the Chinese side did not show flexibility in their approach at the 11th round of military talks.

In his address to the veterans, the defence minister reiterated the government's commitment to their welfare.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to roll out the 'One Rank One Pension' scheme, ending a decades-long wait, was a testimony to the government's unwavering commitment towards the welfare of the veterans.

Listing out other measures taken by the government to ensure the welfare of the veterans, Singh said a number of steps have been taken to address the issue of resettlement, including organising job fairs through Directorate General Resettlement.

He added that a number of online services under 'Digital India' have been introduced for the veterans.

These include the launch of 'e-Sehat' portal to provide telemedicine services, especially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the introduction of the Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) to address the problems faced by the ex-servicemen, he added.