Chinese foreign minister to undertake two-day visit of India from Wednesday

New Delhi, Feb.27 (ANI): Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will be coming to India on Wednesday for discussions with his Indian counterpart S.M.Krishna.

The meeting between the two foreign ministers will take place here on March 1.

Jiechi is reportedly meeting Krishna in the wake of New Delhi reacting strongly to Beijing's adverse comment on the recent visit of Indian Defence Minister A.K.Antony to Arunachal Pradesh for its silver jubilee statehood day.

Earlier in the day, Antony expressed surprise over China's objection to his visit to Arunachal Pradesh on February 20.

He made it clear that this strategically-located state is an integral part of India, and it his duty to ensure that all borders of India are safe.

China, it maybe recalled, had objected to Antony's recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh, by asking India to refrain from taking any action that could complicate the border issue.

"I was surprised to read the Chinese reaction. It is very sad and highly objectionable. Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India. As the Defence Minister of India, it is my duty to ensure that all the borders of India are safe," he told reporters on the sidelines of the Annual Maritime Power Conference 2012.

"Statements by China are objectionable. Arunachal Pradesh is a part of India like and JK. Northeast and any other state of India. As Defence Minister, I can visit anywhere within my country," Antony added.

Antony also said that he has been associated with the state for the last 27 years since 1984.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said: "India will not tolerate external interference of China into the Indian territorial affairs," reminding Beijing that Arunachal Pradesh is a "part and parcel" of India.

Antony had visited Itanagar on February 20, and said that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India.

India has been keeping close tabs on China's massive build-up of military infrastructure all along the 4,057-km Line of Actual Control. A range of issues pertaining to the disputed 2,000 km long boundary have been discussed from time to time by Indian and Chinese officials at various levels. In Arunachal Pradesh, India and China share a 1,080 kilometre-long border.

Antony, who attended the silver jubilee statehood day celebrations of Arunachal Pradesh as the chief guest at the Indira Gandhi Park in Itanagar, had said: "By and large, the border is peaceful, and at the same time, India is taking care of strengthening the capabilities to protect our national interest from any kind of challenges from any quarters.

Antony said: "The eastern border is safe and we will make it safer, (and) for that, whatever is needed to strengthen our security apparatus, we are taking care of it continuously in a systematic manner. India is strengthening its security capabilities in the eastern border. Along with that, we are also taking care of the socio-economic development of the border areas." (ANI)