China has 'geographical advantage' in border areas, rues govt

The defence ministry has told a parliamentary committee that China has "geographical advantage" over India along the border between the two countries.

"China has been building its infrastructure. They have advantage of the topography also because they have the Tibetan plateau whereas from our side, the terrain and geography are more difficult," defence secretary Pradeep Kumar told the Standing Committee on Defence.

To counter the infrastructure development by China in border areas, the government has sanctioned various projects to build a road network in the northeastern region.

"Therefore, these roads (Project 73 roads) have been assigned the highest priority by the government," he said.

Under the project, 73 strategically important roads are being constructed by the Border Roads Organisation along the Indo-China border.

For smooth movement of troops and equipment in the region, India has plans of laying three rail lines connecting areas including North Lakhimpur (Assam)-Along (Arunachal Pradesh)-Silapathar (Assam), Missamari (Assam) to Tawang, , and Murkongselek (Assam)-Pasighat (Arunachal)-Rupai (Assam).

In a Standing Committee report tabled in Parliament yesterday, the Defence Ministry had said that the railway line to Pasighat has been declared as a 'National Project'.

"Survey for this project has been sanctioned and is yet to be carried out," it said.

India has been developing its capabilities in the northeast in view of the military infrastructure development undertaken by the Chinese on their side.