No question of India ceding any part of Indian territory to China: Antony

Chennai:

Defence Minister A K Antony on Friday said there is no question of India ceding to China any part of Indian territory. 

He said that the government keeps a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on India’s security and takes all necessary measures to safeguard it. 

“I would further like to assure the House that Government would continue to strengthen our capabilities in border areas to protect our national interest,” he said in his statement in Lok Sabha.

He said Shyam Saran, Chairman, National Security Advisory Board visited Ladakh from August 2 to 9 this year.  He has submitted a report on infrastructure in Ladakh, a copy of which has been sent by the Prime Minister’s Office to the Ministry of Defence, among others, on September 2, 2013. “Shyam Saran has not stated in this report that China has occupied, or has denied access to India to any part of Indian territory,” he added.

The report is primarily focused on the border infrastructure but also deals with several aspects relating to the region covering a broad spectrum of activities and requirements.

Broadly speaking the report reviews the progress in development of border infrastructure required to ensure connectivity between Ladakh and neighbouring areas. 

In this context, issues such as availability of modern machinery for construction and maintenance of roads, upgradation of roads, tunneling and alternate alignments, among others, have also been discussed.  The report also deals with the requirement of air facilities in the region, as also issues relating to land acquisition and environmental and wildlife clearances, he said. 

Other matters such as employment opportunities to local youth, tourism, mobile and internet connectivity, law and order, better equipment and facilities for ITBP, certain grievances of local people, among others, have further been covered in the report, the minister said.