BJP president J.P. Nadda on Tuesday claimed the Indian Army had given a “befitting reply” to Chinese soldiers, as he spoke on the violent India-China face-off in Ladakh amid near silence on the ruling party front.
“During the de-escalation process that was underway at the Galwan Valley in Ladakh, a violent face-off took place with the Chinese army,” Nadda said, referring to the incident during the BJP’s e-rally meant for Kerala. “The Indian Army gave a befitting reply, but unfortunately we have lost three of our armymen,” he added.
Nadda, who took over the reins of the party from Amit Shah early this year, however, tried to project the Modi government as a strong one in dealing with China.
“We now have the political will and our army is fully equipped to take on any adversary,” Nadda said. “Our borders are intact and they will remain intact under the leadership of Narendra Modi,” he added.
Nadda was addressing the virtual rally for Kerala to mark the first anniversary of the second Modi government.
After Nadda, BJP general secretary (organisation) B.L. Santosh tweeted about the clash, claiming that Indian soldiers had responded resolutely and pointing out that de-escalation efforts were on now. “Our forces were resolute in forcing the Chinese troops to retreat. In the process yesterday we have lost 3 brave deshbhakt soldiers,” Santosh tweeted.
On casualties on the Chinese side, he said: “The picture on the Chinese side is yet to emerge.”
Santosh said India’s efforts to build road infrastructure in the border region like never before had worried the Chinese and underscored that it would continue.
“Indian efforts at building infrastructure in a never before scale increased Chinese worries…. Now efforts are on to defuse the situation holding on to our stand and continuing our road building efforts,” he tweeted.
Before Nadda spoke, there was, however, total silence on the part of many motormouth BJP leaders. Party insiders said instructions had been issued that not everyone would comment on China, unlike in the case of Pakistan.
