Jammu, July 1: Ruling out Chinese pressure to stop development work along Sino-India border in Ladakh, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said government is doing whatever is necessary to ensure such work does not become a hostage to diplomacy between the two countries.
"Please understand that there is no Chinese pressure (with regard to stopping of development work along Sino-India border in Ladakh)",
Omar told reporters on the sidelines of a function of laying of foundation stone of Rs 113 crore new Legislative Complex here.
The Chief Minister was replying to a volley of questions about halting of development work by the state government along Sino-India border in Ladakh and the letter written by the Union Home Ministry not to carry out work without the permission of the Defence Ministry.
"There are certain areas where, historically, we have not been able to demarcate the actual border, as a result of which from time to time certain issues arise which have to be diplomatically addressed", Omar said.
"That having been said, there is a proper consultative mechanism that is in place between the Government of India and the Government of Peoples Republic of China", he said.
Replying to a query about the necessary measures taken in this regard, Omar said "beyond that there is really nothing that needs to be said on this".
In reply to another question about how long would the process of demarcation of boundaries take place, he said "it is an ongoing process. It is not a process that is going to suddenly come to a conclusion".
The Chief Minister said "please understand it takes a long time to settle the border disputes."

GKNN ADDS:
The Chief Minister said the government will foil all the plans by militants to disturb peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
Referring to recovery of IED near Heemal hotel on Boulevard road on Thursday, Omar said, “What is important is not the IED was placed but explosive was found and defused in the correct manner.”
Omar said that “militants will continue to try, we will continue to thwart any such plans.”

Lastupdate on : Fri, 1 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 1 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 2 Jul 2011 00:00:00 IST