Ruling out the speculation that China had occupied 640 square kilometer land of India near northeast Ladhakh Line of Control (LoC) in July this year, India's Defence Minister A K Antony Friday said that China had not occupied any part of Indian territory.
He was making a statement in the Parliament on the demand of opposition over the report of National Security Advisory Board (NSAB).
The Chairman of NSAB Shyam Saran submitted ground situation report last month in which NSAB reported that Chinese side had stopped Indian troops from patrolling the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the latter has lost access to the line at some areas in eastern Ladakh.
"I would like to state categorically that Shyam Saran has not stated in (his) report that China has occupied or has denied access to India to any part of Indian territory," Antony told the Lok Sabha.
A former foreign secretary, Saran, who heads the National Security Advisory Board, visited Ladakh last month and submitted a report to the Prime Minister's Office and the defence ministry.
A section of the media quoted the report as saying that China had taken over a large chunk of Indian territory in the Ladakh region and was preventing the Indian Army from accessing it.
Reading out a prepared statement, Antony said "there is no question of India ceding to China any part of Indian territory.
"The government keeps a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on India's security and takes all measures to safeguard it.
"I would further like to assure the house that the government would continue to strengthen our capabilities in border areas to protect our national interest," said Antony.
According to the minister, Saran's report was primarily focused on border infrastructure and also dealt with several aspects relating to the region.
Both houses of parliament Friday saw noisy protests by opposition members demanding a statement from Antony over media reports claiming that Chinese troops have intruded into Indian Territory.
--With IANS Inputs--
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