Googling "china sikkim intrusion" gets a bunch of articles about alleged

Chinese incursions into Sikkim in August-September and destruction of

Indian forward posts and bunkers:
http://indiatoday.digitaltoday.in/creeping-aggression-4.html
http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14538779 about "Himalayan blunder"
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Antony_to_visit_Sikkim_as_Chinese
_incursions_rise/articleshow/2547360.cms
http://sikkimnews.blogspot.com/2007/11/antony-to-visit-sikkim-as-
chinese.html

Against this background, it is refreshing that Defence Minister Antony is

trying to calm people a bit.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/02/stories/2007120260511000.htm
http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/03/stories/2007120359931600.htm
have photos.

Hindu December 2, 2007

Antony: no incursions, but perceptions on LAC differ

- Photo: PTI/ Shahbaz Khan

Defence Minister A.K. Antony interacts with Army Chief Gen. Deepak Kapoor
and troops in Gangtok on Saturday.

Gangtok: India on Saturday denied that China had intruded into its territory in
the northeastern sector and had destroyed forward posts and bunkers in
Sikkim, but admitted that there were divergent perceptions on the Line of
Actual Control between India and China.

Defence Minister A.K. Antony refuted media reports that China destroyed two
forward posts and bunkers on the Sikkim border last month.

To queries from journalists here, Mr. Antony said, "There was no incursion by
the Chinese troops in Indian territory, be it in Sikkim or Arunachal Pradesh."

The Minister, however, admitted that there might have been isolated
incidents on the borders arising out of the difference of perception on
territorial jurisdiction between the two countries.

He expressed confidence that all minor problems and differences of

perception would be resolved through negotiations.

Describing China as "our strategic partner," Mr. Antony said the armed forces
of the two countries would participate in a joint military exercise in the second
half of December in order to understand each other better.

The Minister, who is on a two-day visit to Sikkim, along with Army Chief
General Deepak Kapoor and other officials, interacted with officials and
soldiers of the 17th mountain division manning the border at Sikkim. - PTI

Hindu December 3, 2007

Chant of "Hindi-Chini bhai bhai"

Nathu La: Indian and Chinese troops exchanged pleasantries before visiting
mediapersons on Sunday.

Chinese officials and soldiers chanted "Hindi-Chini bhai bhai" and shook
hands with the journalists but refused to answer questions.

Some Chinese Army officials came to know from their Indian counterparts
the reasons behind the bristling activities at the Nathu La frontier post.

After being told that Mr. Antony was coming, the Chinese Army officials and
soldiers went back and came back soon to welcome the visitors. - PTI

Hindu December 3, 2007

Antony for urgent steps to develop frontier areas

Says infrastructure on the Chinese side is far superior

- Photo: PTI/ Shahbaz Khan

LOOKING FORWARD: Defence Minister A.K. Antony shaking hands with a

Chinese soldier during his visit at Nathu La on Sunday. The Chief of the
Army Staff, General Deepak Kapoor, is also seen.

Nathu La: Upset at the poor infrastructure along the border with China in
Sikkim, Defence Minister A.K. Antony on Sunday said he would "vigorously"
pursue urgent steps to develop the frontier areas.

"An eye-opener"

"It is an eye-opener. There is no comparison between the two sides.

Infrastructure on the Chinese side is far superior. They have gone far in
developing their infrastructure," Mr. Antony said after visiting this border post
located at an altitude of 14,140 feet.

Mr. Antony said one should not grumble at the lack of connectivity on the
Indian side and do what was needed to improve them.

"As I have personally seen the lack of infrastructure and the difficult
conditions in which the soldiers are protecting the border, I will vigorously
champion the cause of the armed forces," he said.

Expansion of list

The government was contemplating expansion of the list of goods to be

traded through this mountainous pass, he told reporters. On widening the list
of items to be traded with China at the border post, he said: "It is a good
beginning. Our idea is to increase the trade gradually. I hope in the years to
come, more and more items will be included for trade."

At present Indian traders could buy 15 items from the Chinese and sell 29
items to them at the Nathu La trading post.

"It is a gradual process. People of both sides will be benefited out of it. But
before that we need to develop our infrastructure. We need to develop the
infrastructure not only for the Army but also for the common people. We
have to take it up seriously," Mr. Antony said.

The trading centre between northeastern States and China does not operate
for four months due to extreme cold conditions. Trading at Nathu La ended
on November 30 and it will resume on April 1.

Interacts with soldiers

Mr. Antony later interacted with soldiers posted in the forward areas and
senior Army officials briefed him about the situation along the border.

The Minister exchanged pleasantries with Chinese army officials and soldiers
at the border post. - PTI