Pranab admits to Chinese incursions
New Delhi, Jan 12: A day before Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs talks in
Beijing, India has admitted to Chinese incursions in its territory but said
there was nothing to worry about.
External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in an interview that the matter
has been taken up with Chinese authorities and the problem addressed through
established mechanisms.
Sometimes incursions take place. We immediately take it up. Mechanisms have
been established through which we address this problem, he said while
commenting on the observation made by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
that 140 incursions had taken place by October last year.
Asked if the frequency of the incursions had increased, the External Affairs
Minister said it is not unusual...it has not sudddenly increased. There is
nothing to worry about at this point of time, and the mechanisms which we have,
are doing well. Mukherjee admitted that the infrastructure on the Chinese side
of the Sino-Indian border was much superior to that of India in Arunachal
Pradesh but said the Government was now building roads and other infrastruture
on the Indian side as well.
So far as the development of the infrastructure on the other side of the
Indo-China border is concerned, their infrastructuere in terms of road,
electricity and other facilities is much superior to that on our side. It is a
known fact. That is why we have decided that we should also build up roads and
other types of infrastructural facilities, he added.
He, however, said there was no need to panic, and assured that there was no
question of letting down vigilance or alertness.
So far as vigilance is concerned, we shall always have to be alert and provide
whatsoeve facilities are required to protect the territorial integrity of the
country. There is no question of letting down our vigilance and alertness. But
at the same time, the situation which is prevailing right now on the border and
along the LAC, there is no need of pressing any panic button. Peace and
tranquility are being retained, he said in an interview with CNN-IBN. (UNI)
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