China border incursions due to perceptional differences: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

NEW DELHI: Incursions occur at times due to difference in perception about the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday, asserting that the Indian Army is always alert and capable of facing any challenge.

The minister’s response came after Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury asked him about the Chinese incursions into Indian territory.

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Chowdhury attacked the Defence Minister over these incursions, calling it a “grave issue of the country’s security”. “Pakistan shelters terrorists and China shelters Pakistan. China has started sending ships to Andaman & Nicobar. We keep aggression in our voice when it comes to Pakistan, then why are we balanced soft towards China?” he asked.

“Issues of incursions have been reported many times and we have dealt with them,” Rajnath responded. “I would like to assure the House that our forces are vigilant and protecting our borders. Our forces are fully capable of facing any challenge. Nobody should have a doubt about it.”

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The minister said, there is no mutually agreed LAC between India and China. “Due to different perceptions of the LAC, sometimes incidents of incursion occur. I accept it. Sometimes the Chinese Army enters here and sometimes our people go over there,”  the Defence Minister said.

India developing infra along LAC: Minister
India is developing infrastructure like roads, tunnels, railway lines, and air fields on the China border, the Defence Minister said. These, he asserted, were being done to ensure the unity, security, and sovereignty of the country.