“World Bank aid not needed for Arunachal projects”

External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna on Saturday denied reports that he had told the World Bank that “India will not pose any Arunachal Pradesh-specific project to it for financing,” buckling under pressure from China which had recently claimed that the State was disputed territory.

Addressing presspersons here after visiting the two passport seva kendras which are working on a trial basis in Bangalore, Mr. Krishna said, “No. Certainly not. There is no question of buckling under Chinese pressure. The issue has not been reported properly.”

Mr. Krishna said all the development projects in Arunachal Pradesh as well as other States would go on. “India will not abandon any development project either in Arunachal Pradesh or any other Pradesh.”

He said: “Arunachal Pradesh is part and parcel of India. The fact that 76 per cent of people in Arunachal Pradesh turned out to exercise their franchise in the recent elections reiterates their resolve to fully participate in the democratic process of this country.”

Asked if India would seek World Bank aid for projects in Arunachal Pradesh, he said: “Well, if we can find internal resources to fund these projects, then where is the compulsion to go before international agencies like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. Presently, every project in Arunachal Pradesh has been tied up with internal resources.”

To visit China

Asked if there was tension between India and China, he said: “As far as my knowledge goes, there is no tension between the two countries. I think we have a cordial and constructive relationship. I am looking forward to my own visit to China next month.”

Mr. Krishna termed the mysterious death of a three-year-old Indian boy in Australia as “very unfortunate.”

Pointing out that Australian police are investigating the case and that the Consulate-general of Australia was in touch with the parents of the deceased boy, he said the Indian mission in Australia was expected to send a report to the Ministry after the completion of investigations.