Issuing of stapled visas by China unacceptable: Antony

New Delhi, Jan 13 (PTI) India today described as"unacceptable" the issuing of stapled visas to residents ofJammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh by China.

"Issuing of stapled visas is unacceptable to India,"Defence Minister A K Antony told reporters here.

He was responding to queries about the recent incidentinvolving two sportspersons from Arunachal Pradesh.

The two athletes were prevented by immigration officialsfrom boarding a flight yesterday from New Delhi to Beijingsince they had stapled visas given by Chinese Embassy on theirpassports.

The Ministry of External Affairs has made it clear thatIndia considers Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of Indiaand has conveyed to the Chinese side that a uniform process ofissue of visas to Indian citizens be followed regardless ofapplicant''s ethnicity or place of domicile.

Needling India, China started issuing stapled visas topeople from Jammu and Kashmir from later part of 2008 in anattempt to project it as a disputed area.

India had raised the issue during Chinese premier WenJiabao''s three-day visit to New Delhi last month.

Asked about the recent reports on China''s militarybuild-up along Indian boundary and on intrusion by its troops,Antony said, "we are modernising our armed forces with theassessment of our security forces. Whatever modern weapons andforces are required, we are providing it to them."

"I can say that compared to the past, our securityscenario is better than and it is better in both the westernand the eastern sector." PTI AJD