A group of concerned Armed Forces Veterans, of all ranks, from across the country, have written to the President, Prime Minister, Defence Minister, Chief of Defence Staff and the Chiefs of the Army, Navy & Air Force. The veterans have signed and sent their “Statement on China”, in the “interest of national security and integrity.” The veterans emphasise that they stand in solidarity with the nation, the Constitution of India and the Armed Forces in facing the present situation created by China.
All the signatories, have served in the Indian Armed Forces, for decades in both in peacetime and in operational war zones, and have observed that the current Chinese PLA build-up in Galwan and other places in Aksai Chin, and the recent events in the Galwan Valley in Ladakh, have raised “very serious concern” among them. “The incident at Galwan could only have happened because of failure at one or more levels in the political, civil and military establishments, especially in continuous intelligence acquisition and dissemination,” state the veterans, adding “either our intelligence system was found wanting, or the intelligence which it obtained did not reach the field units in time.”
They have highlighted the need for a national policy and strategy on “Neighbourhood Management,” concerning all India’s neighbours, “but especially China and Pakistan.” They have also asked that a fact-finding body be instituted to investigate “intrusions, incursions and encroachments by China in Aksai Chin (Depsang, Galwan, Pangong Tso, etc.) and also elsewhere on our long borders with China, up to Arunachal Pradesh in the East.”
The Statement Can Be Read Here: