Talks with China going on over border row: India

With reports from Jammu and Kashmir indicating Chinese hold over Indian territory in Ladakh, Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju on Monday said India 'need not be alarmed' as talks were in progress to settle border disputes. He also gave the benefit of doubt to China on reports of Chinese produced arms finding their way to militants in the Northeastern states.

"As long as the border dispute is being worked on and debated between the two countries, we need not be alarmed about all these incidents, whether actual or reported," said Raju.

Recently, at a meeting convened by the Jammu and Kashmir government in Leh, where army officials were present, it was agreed that China was encroaching into the land with a 'specific design' to grab a particular area to extend its control till Indus river.

"As per all maps and evidences, the Dokbug pasture (in Northeast of Leh) land undisputedly belongs to India and China is moving with specific design to grab this area to extend its control till Indus (river)," according to an official report.

However, Raju noted today that the most important aspect of the bilateral relationship with China was the growing trade. The minister also said that in the recently concluded Copenhagen Climate summit, both India and China had worked together for their rights.

"I think there are several areas we can work on and these things (border disputes) will be resolved," he added.

Pointing out that China was a major arms producer and exporter, Raju said there was a possibility of a third organisation picking up Chinese arms and selling it to the rebels in the Indian states. "That does not mean we have to suspect the role of China in this," he added.