JAMMU, September 11: Ladakh’s Lieutenant Governor, B.D. Mishra, emphasized on Monday that not a single square inch of Indian territory has been occupied by China. He also asserted that the Indian armed forces are fully prepared to deliver a strong response to any misadventure.
When asked about Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s comments regarding China’s occupation of a significant portion of Ladakh’s land, Mishra stated, “I won’t comment on anybody’s statement. But I will state the facts because I have personally witnessed on the ground that China has not occupied even one square inch of our land.” He added, “Whatever happened in 1962 is immaterial. But today, we are in control of our land down to the last inch.”
Mishra, a retired Brigadier, was in Jammu to attend the three-day North Tech Symposium organized by the Army.
In response to reporters’ inquiries during the event, he affirmed, “Our armed forces are prepared for any eventuality, and God forbid if a conflict arises, those who engage with us will face a strong response.” He noted that the morale of the troops is exceptionally high and their intent is to defend every inch of land. “No one can dare to encroach upon Indian territory with the intention of establishing a foothold here. I believe that credit goes to the exceptional leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he added.
Regarding the identification and procurement of weapons for deployment along the Line of Control (LoC) to enhance security, Mishra confirmed that these efforts are underway. He also highlighted the progress made in indigenizing military equipment, noting that when he joined the Army in 1961, most equipment was imported, but today, almost everything used is indigenous.
The North Tech Symposium, which commenced at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus on the outskirts of Jammu, featured numerous companies and start-ups showcasing their military equipment. The symposium provides a structured approach to evaluating, prioritizing, and acquiring products while offering valuable input for procurement plans.
