Thaindian News

New Delhi, Apr 7 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S M Krishna has assured Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Tarun Vijay that the government is aware of media reports of the presence of Chinese troops in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and is taking all necessary measures to safeguard national interests.

“I met S.M. Krishna today to discuss the complicated and serious situation that has arisen from the presence of China in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir region. It poses a grave concern for national security, but the Foreign Minister has assured that he is in close contact with the Chinese Government and that the Indian Army is fully equipped to handle the situation effectively. He said that his ministry was monitoring the situation and there was no need to panic,” said Vijay.

“Our stand was that the situation is critical because that region legally belongs to India. The Parliament has accepted a proposal that asserts India should get that territory back. That is why, government must resolve the matter with the Chinese leadership at the earliest, considering that Pakistan occupied Kashmir is a haven for militant training camps, which is a security threat to our nation,” he added.

Krishna had on Wednesday said the government is closely and regularly monitoring all developments along India’s borders to ensure the safety and security of the people.

In a statement, Krishna said: “We have seen media reports on the subject. Government closely and regularly monitors all developments along our borders, which can have a bearing on our security.”

“We continuously review and take all measures necessary to ensure the safety and security of our people, as well as, territorial integrity of the nation,” he added

Earlier last week, a top Army commander in Jammu said China’s presence in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) is ‘increasing steadily’ and its troops are ‘actually present’ along the Line-of-Control.

“Chinese presence in Gilgit-Baltistan and the Northern Areas is increasing steadily… There are many people who are concerned about the fact that if there was to be hostility between us and Pakistan, what would be the complicity of Chinese. Not only they are in the neighbourhood but the fact that they are actually present and stationed along the LoC,” said Northern Army commander Lt Gen KT Parnaik.

He said China’s links with Pakistan through PoK ‘lends strength’ to the ‘nexus’ between the two countries, which is a cause of ‘great security concern’ for India. (ANI)