M A I N   N E W S

No Chinese intrusion in Ladakh: Antony
Girja Shankar Kaura & Aditi Tandon/TNS

New Delhi, September 6
Asserting that the Indian Army was under no pressure from the government and was free to handle any situation arising on the border as per need, Defence Minister AK Antony today clarified that there has been no intrusion into Indian territory by China.

Rubbishing reports that China has occupied Indian territory in Ladakh, Antony asserted that there was no question of ceding any part of the country and all steps were being taken to safeguard national security. Facing attack over Indian Government’s China policy, the Defence Minister asserted in Parliament that capacities were rapidly being built along the Line of Actual Control. He said China "fears" India was trying to catch up with it which sometimes results in face-offs between the two armies.

Replying to the clarification raised by members in the Lok Sabha on the similar statement that he made in both Houses of Parliament on the reported Chinese intrusions, the Defence Minister, while pointing out that efforts were being made to find a solution to the long-standing border dispute with China and new mechanisms were being developed to lessen tensions, stated categorically that there was no question of compromising on strengthening India’s capabilities along the borders.

Assuring Parliament that India’s borders were safe, Antony said, “We are clear that on one side, we will improve relations with China, but we will also increase border capabilities to protect our country.”

“We will continue to strengthen our border capabilities and our armed forces. We will do everything possible to protect the country,” Antony said.

He rubbished reports that China had occupied 640 sq km of Indian land in Ladakh and asserted in Parliament that no territory has been ceded to that country.

He said China was more powerful than India in terms of infrastructure along the border as they began improving it a long time back. “We have to accept that China is way superior to us in terms of infrastructure… China is better positioned than India, I admit. But if it is a mistake, it is a mistake by all of us,” Antony said. In the backdrop of Chinese incursions into Indian territory earlier this year, Antony said, “Unlike in the past, India is catching up with China. That is why every year we are complaining of incursions. China has also complained of incursions by India. But incursions aren’t permanent.”

The Defence Minister also denied that Shyam Saran in the National Security Advisory Board report had said that China had occupied 640 sq km on the LAC in Ladakh in the past few months.

“Shyam Saran has categorically denied that he said any such thing in his report to the PMO. There not a single word about Chinese army occupying Indian land in his report,” Antony said.

“I would like to categorically state that Saran has not stated in his report that China has occupied, or has denied access to India to any part of Indian territory. I would like to assure the House that there is no question of India ceding to China any part of Indian territory,” Antony said.