India takes necessary measures to safeguard sovereignty: MEA on reports of Chinese village in Arunachal

INDIA-CHINA-BORDER
FILE PHOTO: A signboard is seen from the Indian side of the Indo-China border at Bumla, in the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, November 11, 2009. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi/File Photo

New Delhi: In a cautious reaction to a report that China has built a village in Arunachal Pradesh, India on Monday said it keeps a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on the country's security, and takes necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Ministry of External Affairs said India has stepped up the construction of border infrastructure, including roads and bridges for the improvement of livelihood of its citizens.

The response from the ministry came when asked about a report by NDTV channel, saying China has constructed a new village in the disputed region of Arunachal Pradesh and it consisted of about 101 homes. The news channel said the report is based on satellite images accessed exclusively by it.

"We have seen recent reports on China undertaking construction work along the border areas with India. China has undertaken such infrastructure construction activity in the past several years," the MEA said.

"In response, our government too has stepped up border infrastructure including the construction of roads, bridges etc, which has provided much needed connectivity to the local population along the border," it added.

The ministry also asserted that the government remains committed to the objective of creating infrastructure along the border areas for the improvement of livelihood of its citizens, including in Arunachal Pradesh.

"Government keeps a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on India's security and takes all the necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity," it said.

In its report, NDTV showed two images of the area where it said the village has been set up. According to the channel, the first image dated August 26, 2019 did not show any human habitation but the second one of November 2020 shows a row of structures.

The India-China border dispute covers the 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC). China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of southern Tibet, while India contests it.

India and China are locked in a bitter border row in eastern Ladakh for over eight months.

The army as well as the Indian Air Force have been maintaining a high state of operational readiness along the entire stretch of the LAC with China including in the Arunachal sector in view of the eastern Ladakh standoff.

India and China have held several rounds of military and diplomatic talks in order to resolve the eastern Ladakh row, but no significant headway has been made for its resolution.

Earlier this month, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat visited various forward posts near the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh and reviewed India's operational preparedness.

He also visited several key installations including "forward most air maintained" posts in Dibang Valley, Lohit sector and Subansiri valley, according to the Army.

Arunachal urges Centre to help develop border areas

Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Monday requested the Centre to help the state develop its border areas to prevent the migration of locals who act as a deterrence against "foreign misadventure".

Mein, while virtually attending the pre-budget meeting of all states and Union territories with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, stressed the need to develop the border areas the state shares with China, Myanmar and Bhutan.

"It is of critical importance that areas near the India-China border be rapidly developed and road connectivity improved so that a permanent and patriotic border population acts as a check against any foreign misadventure," he said.

Mein, also the state finance minister, requested Sitharaman's support for the Centre's approval of a comprehensive scheme for infrastructure development along the India-China border in the state.

Noting that the state has been deprived of externally-aided projects, he requested the Centre to release funds under central schemes without any conditionality.

He pressed for the extension of social security schemes and banking services to cover all beneficiaries to ensure financial inclusion.

Mein said the state government's focus now is on the effective management of the COVID-19 situation, saving lives and providing sustainable livelihoods to the people.

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