The Bharatiya Janata Party has accused the Centre of downplaying reports of regular and repeated “incursions” by China along its border with India.
Party spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad demanded here on Friday that a White Paper be issued by the government on India-China relations. While his party wanted good relations with China, it should not come at the cost of India’s integrity and sovereignty, he said.
The White Paper should cover the ramifications of the India-China relationship and India’s efforts to improve and strengthen infrastructure in the border areas, besides the country’s preparedness.
Mr. Prasad said there were 233 “incursions” by China into India’s territory in 2008; in the past three months alone, there were 76 “incursions.” He said that not only were there violations of the Line of Actual Control but the Chinese forces also entered India’s territory several times. What was also worrying was that there were incursions even in Sikkim, which China has conceded to be a part of India.
While this was happening on the border, those in charge of managing the country’s foreign policy were busy “twitting,” Mr. Prasad said, referring to the controversy involving Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor.
It was odd that while China laid claim to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh because the sixth Dalai Lama was born there, it was protesting the current Dalai Lama’s proposed visit to the State. China was never tired of protesting even when the Indian Prime Minister or other VIPs visited the border State, he said.
Against review of Pokhran results
Mr. Prasad condemned the demand made by some scientists for a review of the Pokhran II results. He said the matter should be considered closed after the former President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, and other top scientists reiterated that the tests were successful. The scientists raking up the issue after 11 years should desist from playing with issues concerning strategic security and nuclear deterrence.
