When asked about the infrastructural development on the Chinese side of the border, Antony said modernisation of infrastructure on the border in India was steadily gaining momentum.

“Unfortunately, because of some of our policies in the past, in places like Arunachal Pradesh we could not develop infrastructure. We are now giving top most priority to development in the region,” he said.

The Defence Minister, accompanied by Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor, visited troops at the forward most posts. While he did not reveal whether plans were underway to make Hussainiwala an open border like Wagah, the Defence Minister did say that there were a number of such proposals as part of the Prime Minister’s confidence-building measures.