China face-off: Thackeray, Pawar assure Maha’s full support to PM
Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and ruling ally Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar on Friday offered the state’s full support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the ongoing face-off with China, official sources said.
The commitment by Thackeray, the Shiv Sena supremo, and Pawar came during the PM’s video-conference interaction with various political parties this evening.
“We are strong and united. This message must be conveyed to China. Maharashtra government is fully behind you and the soldiers at the borders,” Thackeray said.
The CM pointed out how a wrong impression is sought to be conveyed that India is weaker compared to China, “but that’s an old story… Now, we are also well-equipped in all respects, but are in no hurry to attack anybody”.
“We shall always stress on communication and discussion, but if anybody attempts to take advantage of it, then we must show them our strength,” Thackeray urged.
Pawar – a former Defence Minister- said the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s occupation of the high ground in Galwan Valley is essentially with the specific objective of dominating the Dubruk-DBO Road on the Indian side.
“Chinese troops can, at any time, decide to force closure of this road which would be at heavy military cost to India, and DBO is also important as it further links to Karakoram Pass and on the left side the Siachen Glacier,” Pawar said.
Offering his expertise, Pawar said: “The PLA must be evacuated from occupying high ground in Galwan Valley on the Indian side. If we want the PLA to evacuate from Galwan, compulsory measures are required. It would be advisable to strategise using diplomatic channels to diffuse tension on the border and make China see reason.”