Taking all steps to safeguard territory: India on reports of China building second bridge over Pangong

New Delhi, May 20: Responding to reports of a second bridge being constructed across Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh by China, the Central Government said it was creating infrastructure along the border areas to not only meet India's strategic and security requirements but also facilitate the economic development of these areas.

"We have seen reports of a bridge being constructed by China on Pangong Lake alongside its earlier bridge. Both these bridges are in areas that have continued to be under the illegal occupation of China since the 1960s. We have never accepted such illegal occupation of our territory, nor have we accepted the unjustified Chinese claim or such construction activities," said MEA in a statement.

"We have made it clear on several occasions that the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral part of India and we expect other countries to respect India's sovereignty and territorial integrity," it added.

"In order to ensure that the nation's security interests are fully protected, Government has stepped up development of border infrastructure especially since 2014, including construction of roads, bridges, etc," it said.

"Government remains committed to the objective of creating infrastructure along the border areas to not only meet India's strategic and security requirements but also facilitate the economic development of these areas. And of course, Government keeps a constant watch on all developments that have a bearing on India's security and takes all necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity," the MEA concluded.