Even after signing the Border Defence Co-operation Agreement (BDCA) last year with India to avoid intrusion into each other’s territory along the line of Actual Control (lAC), China transgressed into India more than once a day in the last seven months. The intrusion figure stands at 334.
In 2013, the Chinese Army transgressed 411 times, 426 times in 2012, 213 times in 2011 and on 228 occasions in 2010. The total number of transgressions by China was 1,278 times between the years 2010-13.Giving this information on Wednesday in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said, “However, there are cases of transgression due to difference in perception of lAC.”Rijiju also said the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the border guarding force deployed on China-Indian border, reported one transgression in Dorjila in 2013 and one transgression in Naku area in 2014 in Sikkim.
India and China signed the BDCA to prevent transgressions and intrusions along the lAC after the two armies were engaged in a 20-day stand-off in Depsang Valley, ladakh in May last year following Chinese intrusion more than 19 kms into India. This face-off led to uproar in Parliament and the issue was resolved due to intervention at the highest political and diplomatic level.
In this backdrop, the annual report for 2013-14 of Defence Ministry said on Wednesday while BDCA is a significant step to maintain peace and tranquility on the lAC but India is conscious of China’s “increasing military profile” and development of strategic infrastructure along the border.The report said India is “watchful and conscious” of implications of China’s growing military profile in “our immediate and extended neighbourhood” and is taking necessary measures to develop the requisite capabilities to counter any adverse impact on country’s security.
Admitting that the unresolved boundary dispute between the two countries is a major factor in India’s security calculus, the report said India engaged with China on the principles of mutual trust and respect for each other’s interests and concerns.Also, against the backdrop of China’s dispute with Japan over island territories and its objection to maritime traffic in the South China Sea, the report indicated this situation in Asia-Pacific has created tensions in the region and are threatening to polarise the regional community.