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Special attention to develop border areas near China: Govt

August 23, 2012 15:37 IST

The government is aware that China is developing infrastructure in the border regions across India and a constant watch is kept on developments having a bearing on national security, the External Affairs Ministry told the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

In a written reply to the House, Minister of State in External Affairs E Ahamed said, "The government has seen media reports. The government is aware that China is developing the infrastructure in the border regions opposite India in Tibet and Xinjiang Autonomous Regions."

These infrastructure projects include Qinghai-Tibet railway line with proposed extension upto Xigaze and Nyingchi and development of road and airport facilities, he added.

On steps taken in this regards, Ahamed said, "The government is giving careful and special attention to the development of infrastructure in the border areas opposite China in order to meet our strategic and security requirements and also to facilitate the economic development of these areas."

The government keeps a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on India's security and takes all necessary measures to safeguard it, he said.

Replying to a separate question on "the land boundary agreement with Bangladesh", External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said that a protocol over this was signed during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to the neighbouring nation last year.

"A protocol to the agreement concerning the demarcation of the land boundary between India and Bangladesh and related matters, 1974 was signed during the visit of the PM to Bangladesh on September 6, 2011," Krishna said.

The protocol address the outstanding land boundary issues pertaining to un-demarcated land boundary, exchange of enclaves and territories in adverse possession.