By IANS,
New Delhi : The central government Wednesday said it was keeping a close watch on China’s military modernisation and infrastructure development programmes in the border regions in Tibet and has taken measures to safeguard its security.
“The government pays close attention to China’s military modernisation programme, including the development of rail, road and airport facilities in the border regions opposite India in Tibet and Xinjiang Autonomous Border Regions,” External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna told the Lok Sabha in response to a question.
“Since 1993, the two governments have agreed to maintain peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the India-China border areas,” Krishna said, while stressing that the two sides are committed to this goal.
“The government keeps a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on India’s security and takes all necessary measures to safeguard it,” Krishna said.
China bas built a sophisticated network of roads, rail and air links along the border areas that could help it to mobilise a large number of troops for offensive operations in a short time.
China now has a 40,000-km road network in Tibet, besides the 1,118-km rail link between Lhasa and Gormo in Qinghai province of mainland China.
Sensing a potential security threat, the Indian government has decided to scale up the border infrastructure. Early this month, the National Security Council discussed steps to upgrade infrastructure along the 4,056-km LAC with China.