India downplays Chinese claim on Sikkim land

New Delhi:India on Sunday played down China’s latest claims on a small tract of land in northern Sikkim and called it “minor and local” matter. Government sources said that such claims were not new and that India had responded to the Chinese claims at the appropriate forum. China wants to claim a piece of land in northern Sikkim which is called the “Finger area” by the Indian Army. The boundary in the area is demarcated by stone cairns. The Chinese side has objected to these stone cairns boundary. India has told China that it will not allow Chinese troops into the area and that it would mean a breach of the treaty between the neighbours to maintain peace along the border. The matter was taken up at the routine division commander-level flag meeting in Nathu La where India said that it would not allow Chinese troops to enter the area. The matter was taken up a day at a lunch meeting between Indian officials and a Chinese team in Beijing. This is the latest in a row of border incidents that remain irritants in Sino-India ties. China has continued to stake claim over large parts of Arunachal Pradesh, particularly Tawang. This matter is being discussed between special representatives of the two countries. But even as the discussions continue, China and India have exchanged words over Arunachal. The government has had many occasions to convey to the Chinese that Arunachal is an integral part of India. Recently, China had verbally protested against PM Manmohan Singh’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh. (The Economics Times)