NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday reiterated its concern over the presence of Chinese military personnel in Azad Kashmir, saying that it had already conveyed its objections to Beijing.
Defence minister AK Antony told reporters after opening the four-day navy commanders conference here that India was aware of the presence of China’s Peoples Liberation Army troops in Pakistani Kashmir, reported PTI.
"We are aware of their presence there. We have conveyed our concern to China in this regard," Antony said in reply to questions regard the presence of some combat engineers among the 3,000 odd Chinese in Pakistan controlled Kashmir.
"Over the last many years, we are consistently developing our own military capabilities so that we can meet any challenge to protect our territory and our sovereignty," he said.
To a question on China’s objections to India exploring oil in parts of the South China Sea off Vietnam that Beijing claims to be its own territory, Antony refused comment -- Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang is in the capital for talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
However, external affairs minister S M Krishna, ahead of the talks, told reporters that all bilateral issues will be on the table for discussion between the two sides. Krishna was answering a question if the South China Sea issue will be part of discussions with the Vietnamese delegation.
To another question, Antony said the Admiral Goshkov aircraft carrier that India has bought from Russia, where it is presently undergoing a refit, will definitely be delivered in December 2012.
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