Tezpur- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, celebrating Diwali with troops at Meghna Stadium in Tezpur, Assam, hailed the recent India-China border disengagement as a "major achievement" resulting from years of dedicated military and diplomatic efforts. Singh credited the success to the bravery of India’s armed forces, who he says played a key role in facilitating this breakthrough.
"This is a milestone," Singh stated. "Through courage and resilience, our forces helped reach a consensus with China after years of standoff." Singh affirmed India's commitment to peaceful relations with its neighbors, underscoring that while India seeks peace, it remains vigilant in defending its sovereignty.
The disengagement, recently completed in the contentious areas of Depsang and Demchok, follows an agreement on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, restoring conditions closer to pre-April 2020 status. The conflict, which began with Chinese incursions, had strained ties since 2020 and was a central topic during discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping at the BRICS Summit.
While Singh originally planned to visit Tawang, inclement weather brought him to Tezpur, where he joined soldiers in lighting diyas and sharing meals. Senior defence leaders are similarly marking Diwali with troops stationed across the country, including Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan in Port Blair, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi in Porbandar, and Air Chief Marshal AP Singh in Jammu and Kashmir.
Expressing pride in celebrating Diwali with "the larger family of the armed forces," Singh conveyed gratitude for their ongoing dedication, adding, "Being here with you brings immense joy and honor."
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