By IANS,
New Delhi : India is keeping a close watch on China’s military modernisation and infrastructure in the border regions in Tibet and has taken necessary measures to safeguard its security, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said here Wednesday.
He also said in the Lok Sabha that Beijing has denied any plan to divert the Brahmaputra river by digging a tunnel in its part of the Himalayas.
“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,” Krishna told the house in response to a question.
“Since 1993, the two governments have agreed to maintain peace and tranquility 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.”
China has built a sophisticated network of road, rail and air links along the border areas that could help it to mobilise a large number of troops on the border for offensive operations in record time.
China now has a 40,000-km road network in Tibet, besides rail links like the 1,118-km one from Lhasa to Gormo in Qinghai province of mainland China.
Sensing a potential security threat, the Indian government has decided to scale up border infrastructure. Early this month, the National Security Council discussed steps to upgrade Indian infrastructure along the 4,056-km unresolved LAC with China.
In response to another question on China’s alleged plan to divert Brahmaputra river from its course, Krishna said the government took up these reports with the Chinese authorities. The Chinese side has said such reports are inconsistent with the facts.
“In this context in November 2009, the foreign ministry of China has clarified that China is a responsible country and would never do anything to undermine any other country’s interests,” he added.