‘India, China have shown great Maturity in Respecting LAC’: Rajnath Singh

BUM LA (Arunachal Pradesh): India and China have shown great maturity in maintaining the sanctity of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) despite differences in perception about the boundary between the two nations said, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in Arunachal Pradesh.

Singh was visiting India’s forward areas in Bum La along the LAC with China on the second day of his two-day visit to Arunachal Pradesh.

“During my Bum La visit I have come to know that despite perceptional differences on the boundary issue both the Indian Army and the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) have been sensible enough to reduce tensions on the LAC. I congratulate the Indian Army for showing great maturity in all situations,” Singh tweeted on Friday.

Bum La, located at a height of more than 4,500 meters above sea level, is strategically important for India because it was through this pass that China’s People’s Liberation Army began an invasion in 1962.

Singh interacted with Indian Army troops deployed in the mountainous region.

“Visited the forward areas in Bum La near Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. Also, had a wonderful interaction with the brave jawans and officers of the Indian Army. The Army is securing India’s frontiers even in the most challenging environment,” he said in another tweet.

Singh paid tributes to Param Vir Chakra Subedar Joginder Singh, martyred in the 1962 Sino-Indian War, at a memorial set up in his honour in Bum La. Later on Friday, Singh inaugurated a bridge across the Sisseri River that has been constructed by the Border Roads Organisation.

Speaking on the occasion of inaugurating the Sisseri River Bridge at Lower Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday that the Union government’s focus on Act East Policy would open new doors of rapid infrastructure development in the North-East, especially in Arunachal Pradesh.

The 200-meter bridge on the Jonai-Pasighat-Ranaghat-Roing road will provide connectivity between Dibang Valley and Siang as it would cut down travel time between Pasighat and Roing by about five hours.

Singh called for bolstering border infrastructure of the country and said that national security is the top priority of the Union government. He said the government has adopted the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) in its plan keeping in view the security of people residing in border areas.

The BADP is a comprehensive programme undertaken by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for border management of states that have international boundaries.

“Upgrading infrastructure is necessary for the security of the North-East and the entire country,” Singh said.

The Sisseri Bridge has been constructed by the Border Roads Organisation under Project Brahmank, which is among four road projects undertaken by the central government organization in Arunachal Pradesh, the three others being Vartak, Arunank and Udayak.

Apart from Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and Director-General of BRO Lt Gen Harpal Singh, Arunachal East MP Tapir Gao were also present at the inaugural ceremony. (IANS)

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