New Delhi: The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has responded to media reports related to the second bridge being built by China on Pangong Lake in eastern Ladakh. Foreign Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi said that both the bridges have been in areas under Chinese illegal occupation since the 1960s. We have never accepted such illegal occupation of our territory, nor have we accepted unjustified Chinese claims or such construction activities.
The Indian Foreign Ministry said that the Central Government has made it clear on several occasions that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral part of India and we expect other countries to respect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The statement issued by the government further said that, in the interest of the security of the country, especially since 2014, several steps have been taken for the development of border infrastructure. Such works include the construction of roads and bridges.
The Ministry of External Affairs said that the government is committed to building infrastructure in the border areas to meet India’s strategic and security needs. The government constantly monitors all developments that affect the security of India.
Earlier on Thursday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that we have seen the news related to the bridge. It is an issue related to the army…we consider it (China) occupied territory. The Defense Ministry will be able to comment in detail in this regard. We keep an eye on these developments. However, it is not yet clear whether the second bridge is being constructed in the Pangong Tso area or is being expanded on the first bridge itself.
