In the midst of border tensions with China, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar discussed the role of the Indian Army deployed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). During a speech at the Indo-Japan Conclave 2022, he stated that India will not allow China or any other country to change the LAC unilaterally, referencing the recent clashes that took place in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh on December 9th.
“We will not allow any country, in this case China, to unilaterally change LAC,” the minister said. The statement comes as the two countries are locked in a bitter standoff following clashes in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang on December 9. “Today, you have an Indian Army deployment on the Chinese border that we never had. It is done in response to Chinese aggression. The Indian Army is currently deployed to counter any unilateral attempt to change LAC. That is the Indian state’s obligation and the Indian Army’s duty ” according to EAM Jaishankar.
He explained that the continued growth of trade with China is due to the fact that India did not support its domestic manufacturing sector after opening up its economy in the 1990s. As a result, Indian industries struggled to compete with economies that had larger imports and more systematic support. He added that India can learn from Japan and should not give up on its manufacturing sector, but acknowledged that it will take time to reverse the negative effects of neglecting the sector for 30 years.
On Sunday, the Delhi Chief Minister also pointed out that India continues to import goods from China, even as China has territorial ambitions in India and called on citizens to boycott Chinese products.
Source: India Today
