Jammu, Nov 27: In his inimitable manner, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah on Sunday criticized China for “interfering” in the internal affairs of India and cautioned that India was not a “weak nation”.
“The neighboring country (China) is in the habit of interfering in the internal affairs of India. It must bear in mind that India is not a weak nation and we have the ability to safeguard our interests,”
Farooq told the public gathering at Mahanpur in Basohli.
 His remarks came at a time when border talks between special representatives of both sides (India and China) were called off with Beijing demanding that an event in New Delhi, at which the Dalai Lama is scheduled to speak on Wednesday, be cancelled.
 New Delhi has refused to concede to the demand for cancellation of Dalai Lama’s scheduled programme, describing it as “totally a religious event”. The Tibetan spiritual leader is scheduled to speak at the Global Buddhist Congregation which begins tomorrow in the national capital.
 “We don’t want any confrontation with our neighbors and we believe in dialogue which is the only way out to resolve the outstanding issue. The neighbors should not consider it as our weakness as we are capable of safeguarding our interests,” Farooq said.
 He added; “Nobody can dare to encroach upon or take away even an inch of land from us forcibly”.
 On Saturday, Farooq’s son and Chief Minister of the state Omar Abdullah had appreciated the Centre for refusing to bow to China’s demand to cancel an event where Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama was scheduled to speak.
 “Good to see the Indian government show some spine by telling the Chinese where to get off, about time too”, Omar wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter late last evening.
 Meanwhile, the Union Minister also made a veiled attack on the Member of Parliament from Kathua-Udhampur-Doda Parliamentary constituency Lal Singh for “underdevelopment” in Kathua district.
 “I have come to know that work on small roads have been stopped besides far-off places are still living in adverse condition. The leaders should seriously look into the problems being faced by the people and take initiative for development of their area. The government of India has been giving them Rs 5 crore for development activities where does this amount go?” he questioned.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 27 Nov 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 27 Nov 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:00:00 IST