Manish Tewari moves adjournment notice to discuss China border issue

New Delhi, March 23 (IANS) Congress MP Manish Tewari on Thursday moved an adjournment notice to discuss the border row with China in the Lok Sabha.

"That this House do suspend Zero Hour and other businesses of the day to have a detailed discussion on the border situation with China.

"Since April 2020, China has engaged in what can only be described as a steady land grab. Seventeen rounds of Commander level talks have taken place between India and China with little success. All the while China continues to build significant infrastructure, including bridges, roads and accommodation for its troops. China is attempting to unilaterally change the status quo," the notice said.

The notice said the clashes in the Tawang Sector in Arunachal Pradesh were another indication of China's steady aggression aimed at changing the status quo on the border.

"What is more, such aggression is no longer limited in territorial scope as is
evidenced by the clashes that took place in Arunachal Pradesh, around 2000 kms away from the place of previous clashes. There is growing concern that China is unwilling to restore the status quo ante, a situation that puts India at a massive disadvantage. Despite this, China's large trade surplus with us has continued to surge since the military confrontations began in 2020."

He said the trade deficit for India stood at USD 101.02 billion, crossing the 2021 figure of USD 69.38 billion.

"I urge the government to take this matter with utmost seriousness and have a detailed discussion in Parliament with regard to the border situation with China," it said.