by Recent satellite imgery has revealed construction activity in what some experts say is the Chinese side of the Line of Actiual Control (LAC).
MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi while addressing the media on Thursday said that the government is taking steps to ensure that the country’s security interests are protected, while adding that India has never accepted such illegal occupation.
“As part of these efforts, the government has also, in the last seven years, increased significantly the budget for the development of border infrastructure and completed more roads and bridges than ever before,” Bagchi said.
“These have provided much-needed connectivity to the local population as well as logistical support to armed forces. The government remains committed to this objective,” he added.
Bagchi also touched upon some other contentious issues in bilateral relations, like renaming of some places in Arunachal Pradesh by China.
Instead of engaging in such antics, Beijing should work constructively with India to resolve the outstanding friction points in eastern Ladakh, Bagchi said. He described it as a “ridiculous exercise” to support “untenable territorial” claims.
He also slammed China for its embassy expressing displeasure at some Indian MPs’ participation in an event hosted by a Tibetan organisation, and writing to them to convey the same.
“The substance, tone and tenor of the letter are inappropriate. The Chinese side should note that India is a vibrant democracy and Indian MPs as representatives of people undertake activities as per their beliefs. We expect the Chinese side to refrain from hyping the normal activities by Indian MPs and complicate further the situation in our bilateral relations,” Bagchi said.
