Media hype could create problems with China: NSA

An Indian Army jawan having a look at the India-China border through a telescope. Photo:Ritu Ra Konwar

The National Security Advisor M. K. Narayanan on Friday sounded a note caution that the media “hype” over the "recent incursions" by China could lead to “unwarranted incident or accident” that could create problems with the neighbour.

Although Mr. Narayanan acknowledged that incursions were taking place, he added that there was “hardly any increase” in these activities and situation was not “alarming“.

The NSA disagreed that China was trying to put pressure saying “India of 2009 is not (India) of 1962” and said both nations are keen to maintain peace and tranquility at the border.

“In terms of number of incursions, there has been hardly any increase. Occasionally inroads are a little deeper than what it might have been in the past. I don’t think so that there is anything alarming about it. I think we have a good understanding about the whole issue,” Mr. Narayanan told Karan Thapar on his

Devil’s Advocate programme on CNN-IBN.

“I really am unable to explain why there is being so much media hype on this question,” he said.

Asked if over reaction by media could create problems, he replied in the affirmative and said, ”I have been through 1962. I was aware of the problem then.... What we need to be careful of is that we don’t have an unwarranted incident or an accident of some kind.

“That’s what we are trying to avoid. But there is always concern (that) if this thing (media hype) goes on like this someone somewhere might lose his cool and something might go wrong.”