NEW DELHI, Apr 24: Terming the intrusion by Chinese troops in Ladakh as “very serious”, BJP today said the government is not handling properly the issue which needs to be dealt with “fearlessly”.
The main Opposition party, while promising to stand by the government on the issue, suggested that the matter cannot be dealt with through flag meetings but requires handling at the level of the Prime Minister and his Cabinet ministers.
BJP President Rajnath Singh said the entire nation is concerned over the incident and wants to know how the government is handling the matter.
“BJP wants this issue to be handled fearlessly by the government. We will stand by the government on this issue,” Singh told.
Party spokesman Prakash Javadekar told a press conference that the Chinese incursions into Indian territory is a “very serious matter” and the government is “unfortunately” not treating it with the required seriousness.
He underlined that this is a matter of strategic importance and India should ensure that the status quo is maintained.
“About two weeks back, 50 armed soldiers and two helicopters entered our side of the border and came 10 km inside. They came upto Daulat Beg Oldi sector air strip from where India had flown sorties during the 1962 war,” he noted.
“This issue cannot be resolved through flag meetings at the border. Two such meetings have failed. The matter should be dealt with at the level of the Prime Minister, External Affairs Minister and the Defence Minister,” Javadekar said.
Recalling the earlier differences with China, BJP said it had issued stapled visas to Indians living in Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh claiming that they live in a disputed territory.
“China treats Arunachal Pradesh as a part of its territory. It had also made illegal constructions in Gilgit. China is also increasing its presence in India’s neighbourhood be it Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Maldives or Myanmar,” Javadekar said. (AGENCIES)