With China building a second bridge on the Pangong Tso(lake)in Ladakh, India on Friday said it is in an area that has been under illegal occupation of that country since 1960. Also, New Delhi has never accepted such illegal occupation of India’s territory, it was reiterated.
The assertion came on a day when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked the government on the issue and said a “timid and docile response will not do.” The Prime Minister must defend the nation, he said.
Reports about satellite images showing the construction of the second bridge came out two days ago. Imagery showed that the bridge is capable of handling tanks and armoured columns thereby enabling China to rapidly deploy its forces in times of crisis.
Reacting to the reports, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said here “We have seen reports of a bridge being constructed by China onPangong Lake alongside its earlier bridge.”
“Both these bridges are in areas that have continued to be under the illegal occupation of China since the 1960s,” Bagchi said. He was replying to media queries on the matter.
“We have never accepted such illegal occupation of our territory, nor have we accepted the unjustified Chinese claim or such construction activities,” the spokesperson said. He also said “We have made it clear on several occasions that the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral part of India and we expect other countries to respect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
As regards preparations to deal with any challenge, Bagchi said the government has stepped up development of border infrastructure especially since 2014, including construction of roads and bridges.
“The government remains committed to the objective of creating infrastructure along the border areas to not only meet India’s strategic and security requirements but also facilitate the economic development of these areas,” he said.
The spokesperson said the government keeps a constant watch on all developments that have a bearing on India’s security and takes all necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi said India’s national security and territorial integrity are non-negotiable and the prime minister must defend the nation. “China builds first bridge on Pangong. GOI: We are monitoring the situation. China builds second bridge on Pangong. GOI: We are monitoring the situation,” Gandhi said on Twitter.
“India’s national security and territorial integrity is non-negotiable.