Kiren Rijiju Emphasizes Border Development Amid Chinese Tensions
Focus on Border Areas
File image of Union Minister Kiren Rijiju. (Photo:X)
New Delhi, Aug 20: Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, stated on Thursday that the Narendra Modi administration is prioritizing border regions that have been overlooked in the past. This statement comes as he addresses allegations regarding new Chinese incursions into Arunachal Pradesh.
Rijiju remarked, "Some individuals have made casual remarks about the border. While these areas are challenging, the @narendramodi government is dedicated to enhancing border infrastructure. I visited Maza, Galemo, and Taksing in Arunachal Pradesh to expedite development projects. These borders were neglected previously, but they are now a top priority."
He referenced a 2013 comment from former Defence Minister A.K. Antony in Parliament, where Antony acknowledged that China had developed significantly better infrastructure along the border. Rijiju attributed India's infrastructure shortcomings to policies that were in place for decades following Independence.
Rijiju stated, "Among Congress leaders, A.K. Antony is quite candid. As Defence Minister, he recognized in Parliament the Congress government's failure to develop border infrastructure."
His comments, representing Arunachal West in the Lok Sabha, arise amid heightened worries about alleged Chinese military activities in the Upper Subansiri region of Arunachal Pradesh.
On Wednesday, Rijiju dismissed claims that Chinese forces had advanced as far as 60 km into Arunachal Pradesh, while acknowledging the concerns of local residents.
He emphasized, "The India-China border issue is a serious matter. We must avoid making unfounded claims regarding such sensitive topics. The government is committed to addressing local concerns and safeguarding Indian territory," he posted on a microblogging site.
Following reports of escalating tensions along the border, the Ministry of External Affairs highlighted that maintaining peace and stability along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is crucial for the overall relationship between India and China.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated on August 11, "In discussions regarding the border areas between India and China, we have consistently emphasized the seriousness of these issues to the Chinese side."
He added, "The condition of border affairs will reflect the state of our broader bilateral relations," stressing that ensuring peace and tranquility in border regions is of utmost significance.