The Chinese presence in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley, where 20 Indian Army personnel were killed in clashes with Chinese troops in 2020, is way behind India’s perception of its boundary, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, B D Mishra, has told The Indian Express.
Mishra, who took over from R K Mathur in February. amid protests seeking restoration of Ladakh’s statehood, also said that while statehood was not “a viable option” for the region, the interests of the local population will be protected.
According to Mishra, his assessment of Galwan came from his own experience, having served in the Army for 40 years and led operations in the 1962 India-China war. “After taking over, I have been to the border areas, to Galwan, to all the places where people say Chinese are now physically present on our land. In Galwan valley, the Chinese are way behind our perception of our boundary. It’s a different issue that they allege that we are sitting on their territory…,” he said.
Stating that there is a difference in the perception of the two countries on what they consider as their territory, Mishra said: “The perception of the Chinese about the LAC is on the territory where we — our Army or civilian habitation — are physically present. Our perception (of LAC) is also on their side, on the no-man’s land. There is no boot of the Chinese on what India perceives to be its territory. The rumours are incorrect.”
Asked if China was a big issue for India, Mishra, who served as the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh for six years before being appointed the Ladakh L-G, said it was the other way round: India was the big issue for China.
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However, he said, the rights of the local population will be protected. “Ladakh is for Ladakhis. Ladakh will be developed by the Ladakhis and a developed Ladakh will be for Ladakhis,” he said, adding that people wanted jobs, development, and their basic needs to be taken care of; “they don’t care about statehood”.
Mishra also slammed the criticism of the Government on the Chinese incursions, the Agniveer scheme and the Rafale fighter jet deal with France. “Democracy is the best known political system but it has a price tag. In the Rafale deal, India was able to get the best price and best technology, but people said baseless things…” he said.
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On the Agniveer scheme, Mishra said it was a way to prepare the Indian youth for any eventuality, “just like in Israel presently, where not just the Armymen, but militarily trained youths are being used as reserve.” “Agniveer training inculcates nationalism and patriotism in them, they become more employable and when they leave after four years, they have Rs 15 lakh kitty,” he said.
