Cutting across party lines, the Rajya Sabha on Thursday expressed concern over increasing incursions by the Chinese Army into India including the latest incident in Arunachal Pradesh and asked the Government to spell out steps taken to counter this threat.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Jagat Prakash Nadda (BJP) said, Chinese troops recently intruded 20 km into Indian territory in Chaglagam area of Arunachal Pradesh. Seeking to know steps the Government intended to take to prevent such incursions, Nadda said it was a serious matter that the Chinese Army intruded in the same area again on August 19 and had even erected tents in Indian territory in April.
Nadda said in the last three years, the Chinese Army has crossed Indian border 600 times including 150 times in the last eight months and given the gravity of the situation, the Government should act immediately. A large number of members from BJP and other parties including Congress joined Nadda in demanding stringent measures to prevent recurrence of such episodes. “China is repeatedly crossing the Indian border,” they said and demanded strong action by India.
Naresh Agarwal (SP) wanted to know from External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, who was present in the House, what was the Indian policy on it. He also asked the Minister if he raised the spate of incursions during his visit to Beijing in May this year. Khurshid had visited China days after the 20-day face-off between India and China ended after the Chinese intruded at least 19 km into Depsang Valley in ladakh and pitched tents.
On members’ demand for a discussion on the issue, Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien asked them to give a notice. Earlier, Balbir Punj(BJP) raised the issue during the Question Hour.