Exclusive: It's right time for India to claim Aksai Chin, says BJP MP Gao

In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, BJP MP from Arunachal Pradesh Tapir Gao stated that Aksai Chin was illegally occupied by China so it's the right time for India to claim that territory and solve the dispute forever.

New Delhi: Amid ongoing face-off between Indian and Chinese army in Ladakh, Tapir Gao, a BJP MP from Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday said that it is a right time for India to claim Aksai Chin.

"Aksai Chin was illegally occupied by China. It is the right time for India to claim that territory and solve the dispute forever," said Gao to ETV Bharat.

Ever since Aksai Chin, a part of Ladakh region was occupied by Beijing during the 1962 war, it remains a disputed territory between both the countries.

Though, China keeps claiming that Aksai Chin is a part of its Xinjiang and Tibet autonomous region, India refute such claims and said that it is a part of the union territory of Ladakh and constitutes the eastern region of larger Kashmir.

Read:China's muscle-flexing against India and others, a challenge to US supremacy

"China keeps claiming that areas like Tibet Autonomous Region and even Arunachal Pradesh as its territory. It's time for India to resolve all such false claims by the Chinese government," said Gao who is often vocal against Chinese activities along the border areas.

China, on the other hand, has reportedly started large military movements along the road near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Aksai Chin region. Accordingly, India has also mobilised troops in the forward position.

The development took place after troops of both the sides confronted each other in Ladakh and India accused Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) of China of intruding into the Indian territory.

"On several earlier occasions, Chinese troops intruded into the India territory along the Arunachal Pradesh border," said Gao.

Gao also accused the previous UPA regime led by Congress of creating all kinds of border disputes.

Read:Situation at India border overall stable and controllable: China

"Now under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi India has been taking a strong stand against all kinds of Chinese aggression whether it is in Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh or even Doklam," said Gao.

He also asked the central government to take a clear stand over the Chinese claim of Arunachal Pradesh.

"China keeps claiming Arunachal Pradesh as a disputed territory. I want to request the central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra to resolve this issue too," Gao said.

He also reiterated that the central government should develop the infrastructure along the border areas.

"Development of infrastructure was also strategically important to ensure the presence of people in border areas," he said and added, "on several occasions, it was noticed that people leave the border areas due to lack of infrastructure whether it is roads, communications or other facilities."