India takes note of US report, says ‘never accepted China's illegal occupation along LAC in Arunachal'

New Delhi, November 12: Reacting to the Pentagon reports on Chinese construction activities along the LAC in the Arunachal Pradesh, India has said that it never accepted the illegal occupation of its territory nor accepted unjustified Chinese claims.

 

 

 

While replying to a question on the US report at a media briefing, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said China has undertaken construction activities in the past several years along with the border areas, including in the areas that it has illegally occupied over decades.

 

 According to Pentagon reports, China has built a large 100-home civilian village inside disputed territory between its Tibet Autonomous Region and India's Arunachal Pradesh in the eastern sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

 

"We have taken note of the US Department of Defence's report to US Congress which inter-alia also makes a reference to construction activities by Chinese side along with the India-China border areas particularly in the Eastern sector," he said.

 

 

He further said that the Indian government has always conveyed strong protest to such activities via diplomatic means and will continue to do so in the future. Bagchi further informed that India has too stepped up infrastructure development including the construction of roads and bridges in areas along the border with China.

 

"Govt committed to the objective of creating infrastructure along with border areas. The government of India has also stepped up border infrastructure, including the construction of roads, bridges which have provided much-needed connectivity to the local population along the border," the MEA added.

 

 

Saying that New Delhi is committed to the objective of creating infrastructure along with border areas for improvement of livelihood, including in Arunachal Pradesh, the spokesperson added that GOI keeps a constant watch on developments having bearing on its security and takes all measures to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity.

 

"The government keeps a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on India's security and takes all the necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said.

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