China criticises Manmohan’s visit to Arunachal

October 3rd, 2009 PASIGHAT - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday said a Rs.125 billion trans-state highway in Arunachal Pradesh would be completed by 2013, a step that would boost infrastructure in the strategic northeastern state bordering China. "The Trans-Arunachal Highway, rail and air connectivity, and construction of two small hydro projects would meet the requirement of many remote areas, specially villages located on border areas, suffering from isolation," Manmohan Singh said, addressing an election rally at Pasighat in East Siang district.

September 27th, 2009 ITANAGAR - Two major allies of the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the centre are raking up the Chinese incursion issue in the run up to the assembly elections in the frontier state of Arunachal Pradesh even as Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu maintains that Chinese claims over the state are baseless. Elections to the 60-member legislature are scheduled for Oct 13, although voting would be for just 57 seats with three candidates already declared elected unopposed.

September 26th, 2009 TAWANG - Sewang Lama, a businessman, was 11 years old when India and China fought a border war in 1962, with Chinese troops advancing deep into Arunachal Pradesh and inflicting heavy casualties on Indian soldiers. Today, 58-year-old Lama, a father of three, is confident China cannot do a repeat of 1962 in this rugged eastern frontier.

September 24th, 2009 TAWANG - Buddhist monks have been holding special prayers here for the safe visit of the Dalai Lama to India's frontier state of Arunachal Pradesh after China objected to the Tibetan spiritual leader's proposed trip, religious leaders Thursday said. "We are holding daily prayers so that the Dalai Lama's visit passes off peacefully," J.P.

September 20th, 2009 TAWANG - India has moved hundreds of troops to the Chinese border along the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, but an army officer said Sunday that this was a routine winter exercise. A visiting IANS correspondent saw 60 to 70 trucks carrying soldiers proceeding towards the Chinese border in Tawang and nearby posts, snaking through a rough mountainous terrain at an altitude of over 14,000 feet.

September 19th, 2009 ISTANBUL - For peace to prevail along the Sino-Indian border, all boundary issues need to be resolved in right earnest, External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna said in an exclusive interview to ANI here on Friday.

September 17th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Amid concerns over reported Chinese border violations, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Thursday said Indian armed forces were capable of defending the country's frontiers.

September 16th, 2009 NEW DELHI - External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Wednesday dismissed China's objections to the Dalai Lama's proposed visit to Arunachal Pradesh later this year, and said that the Tibetan leader is free to go anywhere in India.

September 15th, 2009 ITANAGAR - The government in the frontier state of Arunachal Pradesh Tuesday urged New Delhi to act tough on Chinese claims over the state and snub Beijing's opposition to Dalai Lama's proposed visit to the region. Chinese claims over Arunachal Pradesh are simply baseless and not correct.

September 10th, 2009 DHARAMSALA - Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has planned a visit to Arunachal Pradesh in the second week of November, an aide said Thursday. The Dalai Lama had to cancel his visit to the state last year after the Indian government refused to grant him permission.

September 10th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Downplaying incursions into Indian territory, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Thursday said India was closely monitoring the Chinese build-up along Arunachal Pradesh.

August 31st, 2009 NEW DELHI - Assembly polls in the three Congress-ruled states of Maharashtra, Haryana and Arunachal Pradesh will be held simultaneously Oct 13, the Election Commission announced Monday. The counting of votes will take place nine days later, Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla told reporters here.

July 22nd, 2009 NEW DELHI - China had opposed India's strategy plan at the Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) because of Beijing's long-standing claim over Arunachal Pradesh, parliament was informed Wednesday. "India's country partnership strategy was discussed in the meeting of the board of executive directors of the ADB on June 15 and all member countries except China supported the document," said Preneet Kaur, minister of state for external affairs.

July 9th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Ahead of the boundary talks with China next month, India Thursday disclosed that Beijing had objected to New Delhi's loan proposal for a project in Arunachal Pradesh at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and made it clear once more that the northeastern state, which China has claimed, is "not negotiable". "India and China seek a fair and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary issue.

June 9th, 2009 TEZPUR - A squadron of the frontline combat aircraft Sukhoi 30- MKI would become operational in India's sensitive northeast next week, a strategic decision to move advanced assets close to the Chinese border, defence officials said Tuesday. A defence spokesperson said four multi-role strike fighter jets would land June 15 at the Indian Air Force (IAF) base in Tezpur, about 185 km north of Assam's main city of Guwahati.