PM cannot allow China to use his words as a vindication of their position: Manmohan

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 22

Breaking his silence on the LAC standoff, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be mindful of the implications of his words and cannot allow China to use them as a vindication of their position.

In a statement, Singh said disinformation is no substitute for diplomacy and decisive leadership and the PM must rise to the occasion to ensure justice for Col B. Santosh Babu and jawans who have made the ultimate sacrifice and resolutely defended our territorial integrity.

“To do any less would be a historic betrayal of the people’s faith,” he said.

Also read: Chinese media urges India not to equate Beijing with Pakistan

The Congress veteran said China is brazenly and illegally seeking to claim parts of Indian territory such as the Galwan Valley and the Pangong Tso Lake by committing multiple incursions between April 2020 till date.

“We cannot and will not be cowed down by threats and intimidation nor permit a compromise with our territorial integrity. The Prime Minister cannot allow them to use his words as a vindication of their position and must ensure that all organs of the Government work together to tackle this crisis and prevent it from escalating further,” he said adding that the soldiers’ sacrifice cannot be allowed to go in vain.

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“At this moment, we stand at historic cross-roads,” noted the ex PM adding, “Our government’s decisions and actions will have serious bearings on how the future generations perceive us. Those who lead us bear the weight of a solemn duty. And in our democracy that responsibility rests with the office of the Prime Minister.”

Singh said the Prime Minister must always be mindful of the implications of his words and declarations on our Nation’s security as also strategic and territorial interests.

Stressing the need for unity as a nation Singh said, “We remind the Government that disinformation is no substitute for diplomacy or decisive leadership. The truth cannot be suppressed by having pliant allies spout comforting but false statements.“