INDIA'S Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday (November 12) said reported incursions by China into Arunachal Pradesh were “not serious” and being effectively tackled by Army on day-to-day basis even as he underlined the need to set up infrastructural back up to handle “these kind of problems”.
“Chinese intrusion is not a serious issue. It is a serious issue for media. The incidents of incursions by China are a small issue that is being tackled by Army chief or the concerned commander in that area,” Parrikar told reporters at a press conference in Panaji on his first visit to his home state after taking charge as defence inister.
Parrikar said there are large tracts of land along the imaginary border and many a times the forces cross it.
“The issue should be considered as serious when they (China) set up their camps in our territory,” he said.
Parrikar said the incursions like the one reported in Arunachal Pradesh “happen many a times in many sectors and are tackled within a day or couple of days.”
“It is not correct to call them as major intrusions. They are breach of LAC,” he added.
Launching a scathing attack on Congress, Parrikar said most of the defence deals executed during the erstwhile Congress-led regime got “stuck up” due to lobbying, vested interest and kickbacks involved.
Underlining the need to remove procedural bottlenecks, Parrikar said if not done it would affect the procurement process.
“The issue of procurement for armed forces has been taken on priority. This is very crucial to build the capability of the armed forces,” the defence minister said.
Interestingly, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju had last month denied any incursion by China's People's Liberation Army in Taksing area of Arunachal Pradesh in recent times.
“It is a natural phenomenon as troops from both the sides usually trespass into each other's territory by mistake as there is no definite demarcation of the border,” he had said.
Speaking on defence procurement, Parrikar observed that more you tighten procedures around them the more complicated they become.
“The best way to avoid complications is to ensure transparency in the purchases,” the defence minister said.
Parrikar said his ministry's priority was to check whether the armed forces were ready with logistics, infrastructure and manpower.
“We have to make sure that no one should dare to fire at the Line of Control. Intrusions keep on happening, but we have to ensure that they don't happen. We have to see our preparedness,” he said.
Parrikar said he had been briefed daily by the Army chief on various issues.
