Union Minister Jitendra Singh played down the heightened rhetoric of Beijing over the Doklam standoff, stating that India was fully equipped to face any challenge. He said the government was confident about the steps it was taking in this regard.
The Minister of State PMO was responding to a question about the recent ‘threat’ by China through its official media, asking India to withdraw troops from the Sikkim sector.
China had recently said that it had conveyed its firm stand to India that it must take “concrete actions” by immediately pulling back troops from Doklam in the Sikkim section with "no strings attached" to resolve the current standoff.
Also Read: Debate I Doklam Standoff Could End Amicably By October
The BJP leader also said that the government was giving a “befitting reply” with regards to ceasefire violations on the Indo-Pakistan border, and was dealing with terrorism in Kashmir with a "stern hand.” On appearance of militant Zakir Musa's posters in Kashmir asking youths and students to keep away from Independence Day functions, Singh said such posters have come up in the past too.
The Union Minister also hailed the “proactive” role of security forces on the borders. He said, “It is going to reap results sooner or later. I am sure this (proactive role of forces) will bring terrorism to its logical conclusion.”
Also Read: Doklam: Simultaneous Withdrawal of Troops is Still a Possibility
Replying to a question on Uttar Pradesh Governor directing all madrasas to sing the national song on Independence Day, Singh said, “Vande Mataram is a symbol of India's national ethos. It is, therefore, wrong to associate it with any particular religion or sect. We need to educate the masses on this more intensely.”
(Love your mother tongue? This Independence Day, tell The Quint why and how you love your bhasha. You may even win a BOL t-shirt! Sing, write, perform, spew poetry – whatever you like – in your mother tongue. Send us your BOL at bol@thequint.com or WhatsApp it to 9910181818.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)