‘Disengagements in Galwan and Pangong Tso are a surrender’: Former defence minister AK Antony

Former defence minister and senior Congress leader A K Antony said on Sunday that disengagement in both the Galwan Valley and Pangong Tso Lake areas and the creation of a buffer zone was a “surrender” of India’s rights, reported PTI.

According to Antony,  at a time when India was facing multiple challenges at the border along with facing a two-front war-like situation, the increase in defence budget this year is meagre and insignificant and was a “betrayal” of the country.

The Centre had said on Friday that India has not “conceded” any territory following the disengagement agreement with China in Pangong lake areas in eastern Ladakh.

Antony said it was saddening that the Narendra Modi government was not giving proper priority to national security at a time when China was getting belligerent and Pakistan continued to promote terrorism. 

According to him disengagement was good as it reduced tension but it should not be done at the cost of national security.

He said, “Both disengagements in Galwan and Pangong Tso are a surrender, We are surrendering our rights.” He added  Galwan Valley as Indian territory was never a disputed land even in 1962.

Antony warned that the government is not understanding the importance of this disengagement and creation of the buffer zone and said, “Disengagement and buffer zone means surrender of our land at the moment.”

Antony said, “To appease China, the government sent a message by not increasing this defence budget that we do not want to confront you. To appease China, we have agreed to disengagement on China’s terms.”