Country's border security in safe hands: India

NEW DELHI: Amid continuing standoff on the borders, India today said engagements with China were underway at "different levels and different places" and made it clear that the country's border security was in safe hands.

India's response came a day after Chinese President Xi Jinping asked the People's Liberation Army ( PLA) to be combat ready to win a "regional war".

The Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry also said that quite diplomacy was at works to address these incidents "expeditiously" following meeting between Xi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Following up on the meeting of the two leaders, diplomacy is underway, we are addressing those issues expeditiously, quietly, and at various levels in different places," he said.

Asked about the continued standoff in Chumar and Demchok, the Spokesperson did not give a direct reply and only said that border issues are best handled by those who are placed there. "I will not get into the details of what the situation on border is because they are best placed to respond to it."

Asked about Xi's comments, he parried a direct answer, saying, "We are confident that our border security is in hands which will ensure our safety and security."

Replying to another question, he said both Modi and Xi had acknowledged that the border issue should be addressed expeditiously.

"As far as we are concerned that when the President of China was here, the Prime Minister and the President had discussions on a whole array of issues and they assessed that the relationship they need to take it forward. They also acknowledged that there are issues that need to be addressed, need to be addressed expeditiously," he said.

Asked about allegations that a handout out distributed showing Arunachal Pradesh as a disputed territory during signing of MoUs with China in Ahmedabad during Xi's visit, the Spokesperson said there was no incorrect cartographic depiction in any events where Modi was present.

"There was no incorrect cartographic depiction in any events where the Prime Minister was present. The MoU that was signed did not have any map. Now what you are saying is about events after the Prime Minister left. That is not for me to comment about except to say that it is important to get the cartographic depiction of our maps correct," he said.

On cancellation of a media event involving Chinese journalists due issues relating to grant of visa, he said it was a private initiative and there were procedural issues about it.

"My understanding is that organisers of that conference have been requested if they could have it at a slightly delayed time so that the procedures could be completed...There is no intention for us to stop any interaction," he said.