India denies any hiccups on ADB country loan for Arunachal

New Delhi, Sep.19 (ANI): Clearing the air on the 2.9 billion dollar country plan loan sanctioned to India by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said there was no pending issue and that the loan has been approved.

The loan has a total approval of the members. Officials confirmed that there was no mention of disclosure agreement.

The confusion erupted after an Indian English daily reported that China has won a vote on a "disclosure agreement," which prevents the ADB from formally acknowledging and notifying Arunachal Pradesh as part of India.

MEA sources confirmed that there is no mention of disclosure agreement and that the country partnership strategy loan for India is endorsed by the Asian Development Bank.

China had raised objections to the plan because it included 60-million-dollar worth of projects in Arunachal Pradesh. It argued that ADB cannot fund projects in "disputed areas" like Arunachal Pradesh.

But On June 16, India had successfully isolated China - the entire ADB Board except Beijing had voted in India's favour and the loan was sanctioned.

MEA sources further explained that while China may have a position on Arunachal Pradesh, the ADB has not hesitated to approve the country loan to India.

Foreign Secretary Rao also blamed the media for drumming up the Chinese incursion issue and echoed the Prime Minister and the Army Chief's views that there has been no significant rise in incursions from the Chinese side.

When asked whether the Prime Minister had taken up the incursion issue with the top Chinese leadership, Foreign Secretary Rao further said mechanisms are in place and have proven effective over time. (ANI)