No question of ceding any Indian territory to China, says Antony

Under fire over reports that China had carried out an incursion into Indian territory and occupied over 600 square kilometres along the LaC, Defence Minsiter AK Antony today said that there was no question of ceding any territory to China.

“There is no question of India ceding to China any part of Indian territory,” the Defence Minister said in the Lok Sabha.

He also said the findings of the Shyam Saran Committee hadn’t pointed to any encroachment into Indian territory by the Chinese Army.

The defence minister added that the government had been working to strengthen the capabilities of Indian forces along the Line of Actual Control with China.

“The government will continue to strengthen our infrastructure in border areas to protect our national interests,” Antony said.

However, the BJP MPs were unhappy with the statement by the Defence Minister and said it did not address their concerns over the reports of an incursion by Chinese troops into India.

Antony is also expected to make a statement in the Rajya Sabha later today.

The government today said it has nothing to conceal on the issue of Chinese incursion even as BJP accused it of “weak response”.

“The government has nothing to hide, nothing to conceal. This is a matter of national interest, national importance. Everything will be made clear. As and when it is required we will discuss it,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath said.

A committee tasked by the Prime Minister to assess the situation on the China border is understood to have reported that Indian troops are not being allowed to patrol up to the perceived Line of Actual Control (LAC) by the Chinese Army.

The team, headed by National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) Chairman Shyam Saran, visited Ladakh between August 2 and 9 to review the border infrastructure development and the situation there.

It is believed to have said that Chinese troops have built motorable roads inside the LAC perceived by India in Daulat Beg Oldie and other sectors in Ladakh and that patrolling by Indian troops was being prevented.

The issue was raised in Lok Sabha yesterday by BJP leader Yashwant Sinha who said media reports have quoted the committee as having concluded that 640 sq km of Indian territory has been occupied by China.

with inputs from PTI