New Delhi: India on Wednesday said it had taken up the contentious issue of the construction of a dam on the Brahamaputra river with the Chinese side many times, but Beijing had consistently denied it.
"We have taken up the issue with China many times. China has consistently denied that such a dam was being constructed," Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao told reporters here.
She was responding to a question on the reported construction at the Zangmu site on the Chinese side of the Brahmaputra river, which was confirmed by The National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA).
The NRSA presented evidence of "houses, construction/excavation, and movement of trucks" in and around a three-four kilometre range at the site, according to a media report.
India has apprehensions that the proposed dam, which has been planned to generate 540 MW, will end up withholding water and feels it`s inappropriate due to the absence of a bilateral treaty over trans-boundary rivers.
Last month, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had taken up the issue with his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India and East Asia Summit.
No strain over Dalai Lama
Meanwhile, India today dismissed speculations that there is any strain between the two countries over Dalai Lama’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh on November 8.
"There is no strain in bilateral ties," Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao told reporters here when asked whether the Dalai Lama`s scheduled visit to Arunachal Pradesh on November 8 had strained ties between the two countries.
"Our position is very clear," Rao said while alluding to New Delhi`s stance that the Dalai Lama, who has been living in exile in the hill resort of Dharamsala for the last five decades, can go anywhere in India provided he does not indulge in political activities.
Describing the relationship with China as "complex", Rao said the rise of India and China was "a source of dynamism" in the region and the world.
Speaking at a seminar on South Asia organised by the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), Rao stressed that despite "outstanding issues", India-China ties were set to acquire "greater dynamism and relevance" in days to come.
Rao pointed out that the resolution of outstanding issues like the border dispute would take some time and entail greater political will on part of both countries.
Rejecting Beijing`s objections to the Tibetan leader`s visit to India`s northeastern state, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said last week after meeting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao that the Dalai Lama was "an honoured guest" of India.
"(But) we do not allow Tibetan refugees to indulge in political activities. As a proof of that, last year we took resolute action at the time of Olympics when there were reports that some Tibetan refugees might disrupt (the Olympic torch relay)," he had said.
In a subtle shift of stance, China on Tuesday accused the Dalai Lama of trying to "wreck" Sino-Indian ties by his proposed trip to Arunachal Pradesh, over which Beijing claims sovereignty, but refrained from condemning New Delhi for allowing the visit.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu on Tuesday flayed the Dalai Lama for his "separatist" activities. "The Dalai Lama often lies and often engages in acts to sabotage China`s relations with other countries," said Ma.
IANS
