Connecting border posts

Connecting border posts along 3488 kilometers long Sino-Indian border, some of which are above 12000 feet above sea level and with temperature falling below minus 20 degrees, is not a small enterprise. We are forced to militarize the border and move men and material so that our borders are secured against China. This exigency rose after the Chinese unexpected intrusion in 1962. Till then we were totally oblivious of the necessity of securing our borders especially against China which we considered a friendly country. Under Nehru’s premiership an environment was created in this country that demonstrated close friendship with China without taking into account what were the true intentions of the Chinese leadership till suddenly in 1962 the Chinese army wave after wave swooped into our eastern state Arunachal Pradesh. Though China then withdrew unilaterally giving an impression that she did not mean to be an occupying force, but the way she has been conducting herself vis-à-vis Indian Eastern states is a clear indication that China has not given up her hostile demeanor. Foolishly she continues to claim Arunachal and parts of Siachen as her territory. Though, she has grabbed good deal of territory in Siachen, thanks to the nexus between Beijing and Islamabad, however, she could not make it happen in Arunachal.
China is in close liaison with Pakistan, supports her stand on Kashmir, is supporting the terrorists and their organizations on Pakistani soil, obstructs India’s seat in the Security Council, has embarked on the strategy of “necklace of pearls” meaning encircling India, has obtained strong foothold in Gwadar in Southern Baluchistan and the Hangamonta seaport of southern Sri Lanka both as vicious plans of controlling the Indian Ocean sea routes. China has been vetoing the proposal of designating Masud as the international terrorist based in Pakistan just because Masud is one among several terrorist leaders in Pakistan who have the declared policy of targeting India. All these realities show that China is no friend of ours and we should not be under any illusion of their animus towards us.
However, we highly appreciate the decision of the Home Minister to connect all our forward posts along India-China border in the east and the north with roads. Though some posts are already connected, yet most of them are still without connectivity. This is a positive sign and certainly a big step in upgrading security of northern border. The Home Minister said he had come to see personally in what difficult and harsh conditions ITBP personnel were performing duty of protecting the borders of the country. Finding that they were doing so in singularly difficult conditions, the Home Minister said that whatever facilities were provided by the Government was too small in comparison to the sacrifices ITBP personnel were rendering. This is a very high expression of thankfulness and encouragement on the part of the Home Minister. He has strongly recommended that the tenure of three months of the soldier on the higher posts should be reduced so as to ensure their health and longevity of life. Though the Home Minister did not say, yet it seems very much probable that he will be considering more facilities like the special snow outfit, snow scooters and all weather vehicles for the ITBP. We appreciate all these measures as these make us confident that our jawans are in best spirits to render service to the nation.

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