Congress confident of dealing with China on incursions in Ladakh

The ruling Congress party said today that the country is prepared to face any kind of incursion from China, after the latest and recurring reports of the neighbouring forces entering into Indian territory emerged in the media.

According to reports, Chinese troops crossed into the Indian territory of Kashmir on two days (July 16 and July 17), and carried placards that asked the Indian forces to leave the 'occupied territories'.

The latest round of incursion committed by China comes a month after Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony visited Beijing, where the issue was discussed in the bilateral talks.

Commenting on these reports, the ruling Congress party spokesperson Meem Afzal said that incursions were not novel and that India is completely prepared to combat any untoward situation at the border.

"There is always something happening at the border. It is nothing new. This happens with our border with Pakistan also. They are solved in the bilateral meets and talks. The incident, which you are talking about, is being reported in the media but I don't have proper information about this. The Defence and Foreign ministries can talk better about it. I believe that our country is strong enough that we need not fear anybody in this world," Afzal said.

Analyst Bharat Verma had said in New Delhi earlier today that China is aware that India is presently vulnerable and weak, commenting on the probing attacks on India by Chinese troops. He also said that the recurrent incursions by Chinese troops were a "prelude" to an upcoming war between India and China.

"Their calculations are that India can become very strong in coming times. They know (that) New Delhi is in no position today. There is a political paralysis in leadership. They are in no position to attack or counterattack China", Verma said.

Air Marshal (Rtd.) A.K. Singh also commented on the tension between India and China, saying that the two countries have had a tense history with regard to border demarcation and China has continually "needled" India. He suggested that the Indian leadership should continue to raise the issue.

"Certainly, India should continue to raise the issue and international polity is also aware of the Chinese agenda and the Chinese propaganda", Singh said here toady.