There is no boot of the Chinese on what India perceives to be its territory, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, BD Mishra, told The Indian Express, categorically denying rumours of the presence of Chinese troops on Indian land as “incorrect”.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Mishra, who took over from his predecessor RK Mathur in February this year, claimed that the Chinese presence in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley is way behind India’s perception of its boundary along the Line of Actual Control. As many as 20 Indian Army personnel were killed in clashes with Chinese troops in 2020 in the same region.
“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, adding that his assessment is based on his experience of 40 years in the Indian Army which included leading operations in the 1962 India-China war.
“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,” Mishra said, pointing to the difference in perception between the two countries on what either consider as their territory.
Mishra further said that China is “frustrated” with the “strong stance” taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Unki daal nahi gal rahi (They are unable to have their way),” he said, claiming that instead of China being a big issue for India, the reality was the other way round.
India is the big issue for China, he said, highlighting how the situation today was in stark contrast to India’s position during the 1962 war. “India’s top leadership was ill-prepared, all weapons were imported, and the Army was also not ready,” Mishra said, juxtaposing it to India’s present situation.
“The logistics of the Indian Army are so much better, our tanks are there (at the China border), roads have been built and the morale of the jawans and their faith in the leadership is at an all-time high,” he added.
Mishra further said that while the restoration of Ladakh’s statehood was not a viable option for the region, the interests of the local population will be protected.