'Centre's soft stand on incursion demoralising army'

Alleging that India's defence policy towards China is soft, as a result of which the nighbouring country indulges in intrusions every now and then, BJP national executive member and former member of Parliament Thupstan Chhewang, said the country under the Congress-led UPA has adopted a complete silence over incidents of foreign attacks on country's sovereignty.

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Alleging that India's defence policy towards China is soft, as a result of which the nighbouring country indulges in intrusions every now and then, BJP national executive member and former member of Parliament Thupstan Chhewang, said the country under the Congress-led UPA has adopted a complete silence over incidents of foreign attacks on country's sovereignty.

Addressing a press conference, Chhewang said the recent incidents of intrusion by the People's Liberation Army deep into the Indian territory was not the first such case. In the past too, such intrusions had taken place and the Centre's meek responses had encouraged China to continue to do so.

He termed the statements made by the Prime Minister, the union home minister and other senior ministers ridiculous. He said by using phrases like undemarcated borders between India and China or disputed area and by adopting a soft stand on the issue, the government was demoralising the army and other forces deployed along borders. He said the remote region of Ladakh was the most ignored, under-developed and needed due attention by the central and the state government.

The former MP said our belief in principle of having cordial and friendly relations with our neighbouring countries should not mean that we were weak and taken for granted. He demanded the creation of special command base in Ladakh to counter the Chinese threat and a strong foreign policy.