During his visit to Ladakh to commemorate his father Rajiv Gandhi's 79th birth anniversary, Rahul Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assertion that China's People Liberation Army (PLA) had not taken an inch of Indian land. Rahul Gandhi contended that this claim was untrue, citing local concerns that Chinese troops had indeed encroached upon and taken Indian territory.
Retired Lt. General Sanjay Kulkarni, a security expert, responded to Rahul Gandhi's remarks, deeming them incorrect. He emphasized that since 1950, India had lost approximately 40,000 square kilometers of land to China. Kulkarni stressed that the ongoing effort was to prevent any further territorial losses to China.
Kulkarni expressed concern about the potential consequences of making such statements amid ongoing military talks between India and China. He noted that these talks were addressing issues primarily in two friction points: Demchok and Depsang, where patrolling had been restricted. Kulkarni emphasized that characterizing these territorial disputes as losses could hinder diplomatic efforts and strain relations between the two countries.
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During his visit to Ladakh, Rahul Gandhi also questioned the Union territory status granted to Ladakh following the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories after the abrogation of Article 370. He highlighted concerns raised by the local population, including dissatisfaction with their current status, a desire for increased representation, and concerns about unemployment. Rahul Gandhi advocated for greater representation of the people in the administration of the region, emphasizing that the state should be governed by elected representatives rather than bureaucrats.
Rahul Gandhi shared a personal connection to Pangong Tso, describing it as a place his father had visited and deemed the "most beautiful place on earth." He expressed his intention to explore the region further, including visits to the Nubra Valley and Kargil.
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Rahul Gandhi's remarks on the India-China border dispute and the Union territory status of Ladakh have drawn attention and sparked a response from a prominent security expert. As India engages in diplomatic talks with China to address these issues, responsible and accurate communication remains crucial to facilitate progress and maintain peaceful relations between the two nations.
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