Admitting that China was far ahead of India in terms of infrastructure creation along the border, Defence Minister AK Antony on Friday said New Delhi was following a three-pronged strategy aimed at finding a lasting solution to the long-standing dispute without compromising an inch of land.
The Defence Minister rejected reports that National Security Advisor Shyam Saran has given a report to the Prime Minister's Office claiming that the Chinese have occupied 640 sq km of Indian Territory in ladakh. Replying to submissions made by lok Sabha members on a statement that Antony made in both the Houses earlier in the day, the Defence Minister claimed that instances of face-offs between the armies of the two countries have increased because India is "fast catching up" with China in terms of infrastructure creation, which has brought the armies closer.
"I must assure the House that the Indian Army has got a free hand in dealing with local situations," Antony said, adding that a responsible nation like India cannot overreact on a factually incorrect media report. "Till a final solution to the long pending issue is achieved, our aim is to maintain peace and tranquillity at the border," he added.
Antony said India's three-pronged strategy was to find an everlasting solution to the border issue; develop more mechanisms to solve disputes and develop infrastructure without compromising an inch of land to China. "The UPA Government in the last nine years has taken maximum steps to strengthen capability and infrastructure along the border," Antony said.
He told the House that two mountain divisions had been raised recently and more airfields have started operating in the region. To a specific question from Yashwant Sinha (BJP) about India's position in Depsang Bulge, Antony claimed Chinese PlA have disengaged from there and the Indian Army was in a better position there. He also claimed that the Indian Army was patrolling in all those areas, which according to it fall within its territory.
In the Rajya Sabha earlier, Antony asserted that India has recently substantially developed infrastructure along the line of Actual Control and dismissed media reports cited by Opposition BJP and Samajwadi Party on Saran's report. Antony said that Saran himself has denied giving any such report. His report of September 2 primarily focused on border infrastructure in ladakh.
"I would like to assure the House that there is no question of India ceding to China any part of Indian Territory," he said in a statement made in both the Houses of Parliament. Antony said that the Government is keeping a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on India's security and takes all necessary measures to safeguard national interest.
Admitting that China is superior and better placed as far as infrastructure development is concerned, Antony said that for long India remained indifferent, but of late it has also started developing infrastructure and raised mountain divisions, two airfields, built new roads, developed other capabilities and deployed additional forces along the border.
"We are moving fast and have developed maximum infrastructure and they (China) fear that India is catching up," he said adding that in the Eastern sector also we have substantially built up our capabilities. "I have no hesitation in saying that China is in a better position than India in terms of border infrastructure. It is a mistake, it is all of us who are to be held collectively responsible for it. It is a historical legacy," Antony said.
"Now there will be no let up. There is no question of freezing. We will continue to strengthen our capabilities. Protect every inch of our land and protect national interest," he said. He said that diplomatic efforts are being made at many fora to find a peaceful resolution to the border dispute pending with China since 1962-63, but till a permanent solution is found, the minimum concern is to maintain peace and tranquillity there.
"However, there are many disputed points along the 3,488 km long boundary which China feels are theirs and we say are ours. In the disputed area Indian patrols goes up to areas which we consider our land and their patrol comes to the area which they feels is theirs due to which recently many incidents of incursions and face-offs have been witnessed," he said.
Admitting that the whole nation is agitated and the Parliament is concerned over recent media reports, Antony said: "I assure you that there will be no compromise in the protection of national interests. let us be united on this."