'India to tackle China boundary issue bilaterally'

Against the backdrop of the war of words with China over Arunachal Pradesh, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Monday, that India will "tackle" the boundary question with the neighbouring country bilaterally. Singh said this to a delegation from Arunachal Pradesh led by Chief Minister Dorji Khandu which requested him to review the defence strategy for the eastern sector in view of incursions by Chinese troops and other developments.

"The Prime Minister told us not to worry. He said the Centre will tackle with the situation bilaterally," Congress MP from Arunachal West Takam Sanjoy, who was part of the delegation, said. Sanjoy said the Chief Minister requested the Prime Minister to give a big push to infrastructure development to ensure better surveillance over Chinese activities. The delegation also urged Singh to create a para-military force comprising youths from the state only.

"We demanded formation of Arunachal Scouts comprising only youths from the state as they are willing

to join the forces to defend their territory," Sanjoy said adding that the delegation also expressed concern over reports of a dam being constructed by China on river Brahmaputra. 
    
"We told the Prime Minister that the dam will change the entire course of the river which will have catastrophic impact on the entire region," the MP said. China, which lays claim over Arunachal Pradesh, recently objected to the Prime Minister's visit to the state leading to a war of words between the two countries.
    
Besides responding strongly to the Chinese objection, India retaliated by questioning China's engagement in projects in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and asked it to stop such activities taking a "long-term view" of India-China relations.
    
The delegation, in its memorandum, also requested Singh to take all measures to ensure success of the upcoming visit
of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama to the state next month. China has also objected to the proposed visit of the
Dalai Lama.