The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs comprising nine members of Parliament, under the chairmanship of Shashi Tharoor completed their two-day visit at Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday. This was informed by Tezpur-based defence spokesperson Lt. Col. Harsh Wardhan Pande here.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee reached Tawang on Monday and was accorded a traditional welcome by Major Gen Rajesh Kumar Jha, General Officer Commanding, Ball of Fire Division, Brigadier MP Singh, YSM, SM Commander of Tawang Brigade, Sang Phuntsok, DC Tawang and Harshvardhan, SP, Tawang.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
The Committee was briefed about the Sino-India relations including activities during Doklam stand-off, the prevailing security situation along the border, Chinese claims over Arunachal Pradesh and India’s defence preparedness along the Line of Actual Control.
The Committee also interacted with heads of various security agencies deployed in Tawang during which issues related to security of the border, infrastructure development and challenges of weather and terrain in the forward areas along LAC were highlighted.
The Committee was reassured of the Indian Army’s professionalism and operational preparedness during the briefing at Tawang Brigade. Having witnessed the firm resolve and high morale of the troops, the Committee was convinced that Indian Army is ready to respond to any contingency along the border with a mightier force.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
The Committee members also paid homage at the Tawang War Memorial to honour 2420 martyrs of Sino-India War of 1962 in Kameng Sector. The Committee paid homage to late Dorjee Khandu, ex-Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh and visited the museum exhibiting the rich culture of Arunachal Pradesh and life of the late Chief Minister.
The Committee members also visited Maratha Ground staging area, and paid their respects to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, whose statue has been installed to commemorate the ground-breaking work carried out by the Indian Army, especially the Maratha troops in the area. Finally, prior to their departure, the Committee also visited the majestic Tawang Monastery, which is the second largest and oldest monastery in Asia.