Says forces prepared to meet any challenge to sovereignty

New Delhi,
Terming the Doklam border standoff between India and China a “deadlock”, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today indicated that a solution to this would be found soon, hoping that Beijing would make a positive move. He, however, made it clear that India was capable and prepared to meet any challenge to its sovereignty.

Speaking at an event here organised by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Singh said: “There is a deadlock going on at Doklam between India and China. I believe there will be a solution soon. I hope China will undertake a positive initiative in this direction.”

Noting that the world knew of India, which never cast an evil eye on any country, he said: “We never want to expand our borders… But I can say that our security forces and defence forces possess all the might to protect our borders.”

For the past over two months, India and China have been locked in a faceoff in Doklam area of Sikkim after Indian troops stopped the Chinese Army from building a road in the area. China had been ramping up rhetoric against India over the last few weeks, demanding immediate withdrawal of Indian troops from Doklam.

Lauding the bravery and grit of ITBP, Singh said it was due to their prowess on the border that “no one can dare cast an evil eye on India”. The ITBP is tasked to guard the 3,488-km long Sino-India border and works under the command of the Home Ministry.

The Home Minister presided over the function where promotion of 1,654 ITBP officials across various ranks was announced.