Amid rising tensions with India, China has once again said it does not recognise “illegally established” Union Territory of Ladakh. The remark has come a day after Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated 44 strategic bridges in Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.
Taking offence to the infrastructure development, the Chinese foreign ministry said, “Indian side has been ramping up infrastructure development along the border and stepping up military deployment, that is the root cause of the tension between the two sides.”
The Chinese foreign ministry went on to say that it does not recognise the Union Territory of Ladakh “illegally established” by India, and the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
“First, I want to make it clear, China doesn’t recognize Ladakh Union Territory, illegally established by India and also Arunachal Pradesh. China stands against the development of infrastructure facilities aimed at military contention along the border area. Based on the two sides’ consensus, neither should take action that might escalate the situation. That could also undermine efforts to ease the situation,” said the Chinese foreign ministry.
It further added, “For some time, the Indian side has been ramping up infrastructure development along the border and stepping up military deployment, that is the root cause of the tension between the two sides. China asks the Indian side to earnestly implement the consensus between the two sides and refrain from taking actions that might escalate the situation and take concrete measures to safeguard peace and tranquillity along the border.”
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday dedicated 44 bridges built in the border areas of Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir to the nation. The inauguration was done through video-conferencing.
Most of the bridges inaugurated are in strategically important areas. These bridges are extremely helpful in ensuring the rapid movement of military troops and weapons. Out of the 44 bridges, 7 are in Ladakh.
Notably, India is ramping up development work like construction of roads and bridges along the border areas after it has been locked in a dispute with China along the Line of Actual Control.
Source: dnaindia.com