New Delhi: Seeking to downplay recent incursions by Chinese Army along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), National Security Advisor MK Narayanan on Saturday cautioned that media "hype" could lead to "unwarranted incident or accident" that could create problems with the neighbour.
He acknowledged that incursions were taking place but said there was "hardly any increase" in these activities and situation was not "alarming".
The NSA disagreed that China was trying to put pressure saying "India of 2009 is not (India) of 1962" and said both nations are keen to maintain peace and tranquility at the border.
"In terms of number of incursions, there has been hardly
any increase. Occasionally inroads are a little deeper than
what it might have been in the past. I don't think so that
there is anything alarming about it. I think we have a good
understanding about the whole issue," Narayanan told a news channel in an interview.
"I really am unable to explain why there is being so
much media hype on this question," he said.
Asked if over reaction by media could create problems,
he replied in the affirmative and said, "I have been through
1962. I was aware of the problem then.... What we need to be
careful of is that we don't have an unwarranted incident or an
accident of some kind.
"That's what we are trying to avoid. But there is
always concern (that) if this thing (media hype) goes on like
this someone somewhere might lose his cool and something might
go wrong."
Narayanan said too much of reporting on this issue
could lead to increase in tensions leading to situation "we
wish to avoid".
"I think it is a national security issue. It is not a
kind of game that we are playing. The more you raise people's
sort of concern, I mean the tensions would rise and then we
would be facing a situation of a kind that we would wish to
avoid," the NSA said
He replied in the negative on whether there
was a sense of appeasement or hesitation or fear in India when
dealing with China.
"I was there in 1962 and I should be more conscious
than anyone else. We are careful and I think it is important
and imperative we do not want to get into a situation that we
don't want to be in," he said.
Narayanan, who is special representative from Indian
side on border talks, said that after nine rounds of talks
that he had with his Chinese counterpart Dai Bingguo "we are
much more comfortable at this moment than let's say a year
ago."
When asked about China not considering India as
equals, the NSA said it wishes to be the numero uno in this
part of the world.
"China certainly sees us as its rival and the issue
is that they wish to be the numero uno in this part of the
world," he said adding India is seen as a rising democratic
power. "Therefore there is rivalry," he said.
Bureau Report
First Published: Sunday, September 20, 2009, 10:38