Dismissing Chinese criticism of India undertaking construction projects near the line of Actual Control (lAC), India on Thursday said it does not allow “any interference” with its right to undertake improvement of infrastructure within the Indian territory, particularly those that have a bearing on country's security.
In a written reply to question in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Ministry of External Affairs, V K Singh said India and China have reviewed the situation in all sectors of the border during the talks on boundary issues. He said the two sides agreed that maintenance of peace and tranquility in the border areas is an important prerequisite for sustained growth of bilateral relations.
Militaries of both the countries recently witnessed a stand-off at the Dokalam that lasted for more than two months. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has also approved the construction of a standalone road project from Marsimik la to Hot Spring. Marsimik la in ladakh is about 20 km from the northwest tip of Pangong lake. In August, China warned that such a development would only worsen the then stand-off in Dokalam.
Singh said the spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry made statements critical of construction of such infrastructure by Indian near the line of Actual Control.
Singh noted that the tenth round of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was held in Beijing. The two delegations comprised diplomatic and military officials from each side.
WMCC was established in 2012 as institutional mechanism for consultation and coordination for the maintenance of peace and tranquility in the India-China border areas.