No compromise with its stand on border with China : India

New Delhi, Oct 26 (UNI) India today stated that it would not in any way compromise with its stand on the border issue with China.

Defence Minister A K Antony said ''we are cautious and will not compromise with our stand.'' Replying to a question about reported border violations by China, the Defence Minister said, ''such incidents are reported every year. The real problem is that a large part of the border with China is not demarcated. They (the Chinese) have their own point of view on the border and we have our own.'' The Defence Minister was speaking to reporters after addressing the Armed Forces Headquarters (AFHQ) Service Day Celebrations here.

Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) chief V K Joshi had said earlier this week that 140 incidents of border incursion by Chinese troops, mostly in Ladakh area of Jammu and Kashmir, and Arunachal Pradesh had taken place during the past year.

Mr Antony said Chinese troops come for patrolling in the areas that India considers its own, while Indian troops patrol the areas that China lays claim on.

''This is a problem created by non-demarcation of the border,'' he added.

However, whenever there is any serious violation, the matter is raised at various levels.

Talks were on with China to solve the border problem which were even progressing. Relations between the two countries were also imroving and both were moving towards resolution of issues.

About his proposed visit to Jammu and Kashmir, the Defence Minister said situation is improving in the valley. When the situation is compared with the past, there has been lot of improvement.

After further improvement inthe situation in the state, the government would plan for peoples' welfare.

Earlier in his address, the Defence Minister, while lauding the role of civilian employees in the Defence Ministry, said they (civilian employees) were a rich repository of information and knowledge which must be utilised.

There are about 1,40,000 civilian employees in the AFHQ cadre and act as a bridge between the Service Headquarters and the Defence Ministry.

UNI