Border issue with China can lead to serious situation: Manmohan Singh

Endorsing party chief Sonia Gandhi's view that the face-off at the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh is a full blown crisis, Manmohan Singh said: "The crisis on the border, which if not tackled firmly, can lead to a serious situation." Former Defence Minister A.K. Antony and Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, who attended the all-party meeting called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi briefed the CWC on the border situation.

Manmohan Singh on Monday slammed the Prime Minister on the Chinese transgression accusing him of delivering "disinformation" following Modi's statement in the all-party meeting and the later clarification by the PMO. Singh said the Prime Minister should know the implication of his words. "The Prime Minister cannot allow them to use his words as a vindication of their position and must ensure that all organs of the Government work together to tackle this crisis and prevent it from escalating further," said Singh.

Manmohan Singh in his statement on Monday said: "We remind the Government that disinformation is no substitute for diplomacy or decisive leadership." "The truth cannot be suppressed by having pliant allies spout comforting but false statements," added Manmohan Singh. He was criticising Modi's statement at the all-party meeting on Friday and later clarification by the PMO on June 15 night's violent face-off between the Indian and Chinese sides in Galwan Valley that led to the death of 20 Indian soldiers, including a commanding officer. The PM's statement was used by the Chinese to get away with their misdeeds.

Before the former Prime Minister, Sonia Gandhi also slammed the government saying that we have a "full-blown" crisis on the LAC with China.

Addressing the party leaders, she said, "Chinese troops have committed brazen transgressions into our territory in Pangong Tso Lake area and the Galwan Valley, Ladakh. True to its character, the government is in denial. The intrusion was detected and reported on May 5. Instead of a resolution, the situation deteriorated rapidly and there were violent clashes on June 15-16," she said, adding that 20 Indian soldiers were martyred, 85 injured and 10 went missing until they were returned.

Hitting out at Modi she said, "The Prime Minister was called out when he announced that no one had intruded into Indian territory in Ladakh." The Congress leader said that on matters of national security and territorial integrity, the nation has always stood together and this time too, there is no second opinion. (IANS)

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