Union minister Kiren Rijiju made headlines on Friday for his interaction with soldiers of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) along the Sino-Indian border, specifically near Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. The exchange occurred during a visit to an Indian Army post in celebration of Diwali, India’s festival of lights.
In a brief video shared on social media platform X, Rijiju, who is the Minister of Law and Justice and also responsible for parliamentary and minority affairs, was seen conversing with three Chinese soldiers through an interpreter. He inquired about their experiences serving in such a high-altitude region, situated approximately 15,000 feet above sea level. The Chinese soldiers responded that they faced no issues with their posting and felt comfortable in the challenging environment.
Reflecting on his visit, Rijiju expressed pride in India’s border development initiatives, stating, “After talking to Chinese soldiers and seeing the infrastructures, everyone will feel proud of India’s border development now.” He also spent quality time with Indian Army personnel, celebrating Diwali with them. “Since you are far away from home during Diwali, we have also decided to be away from home and spend time with you,” he added, highlighting the spirit of camaraderie.
The timing of Rijiju’s interaction comes shortly after India announced a breakthrough agreement with China concerning patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, signaling a potential thaw in the strained relations between the two nations. This development followed a significant meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the recent BRICS summit in Russia.
In a gesture of goodwill, Indian and Chinese troops exchanged sweets at various border points along the LAC to mark the festive occasion of Diwali. This tradition has been maintained despite the tumultuous backdrop of border tensions, particularly following the deadly clashes in Galwan Valley in June 2020, which resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers.
Rijiju’s visit and the interactions with PLA soldiers underscore ongoing diplomatic efforts to ease tensions along the border, reflecting a desire for stability and cooperation between the two neighboring countries.
Sources By Agencies
