MEA: China is building a bridge in a territory it has occupied since 1960

A second bridge being built by China on Pangong Lake is in an area that has been illegally occupied by China since 1960, India claimed on Friday.

Speaking on behalf of the ministry, Arindam Bagchi stated that India has never accepted such illegal encroachment on its land.

On Pangong Lake, “we have seen reports of a new bridge being built by China,” he said.

According to Bagchi, “both these bridges are in areas that have been illegally occupied by China since the 1960s.”

Media inquiries had prompted him to speak out on the issue.

We have never accepted illegal Chinese occupation of our territory or unjustified Chinese claims or construction activities,” the spokesperson stated.

“We expect other countries to respect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he added. “We have made it clear on several occasions that the union territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of India.

Since 2014, the government has stepped up the development of border infrastructure, including the construction of roads and bridges, to ensure that the nation’s security interests are fully protected.

India’s “strategic and security needs” necessitate the construction of border infrastructure, but so do the economic needs of these regions, the government’s chief of staff has said.

In order to protect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the government is constantly monitoring all developments that may affect its security.

A second bridge is reportedly being built around the strategically important Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh by people who are familiar with Chinese construction.