Govt says China always denies dam,remains hopeful of talks

The Indian Express had reported on Wednesday that NRSA,in its presentation to the Committee of Secretaries (CoS) formed to assess Chinese plans regarding possible diversion of the Brahmaputra’s water,had presented evidence of “houses,construction/excavation,and movement of trucks” in and around a 3-4 km range at the site. In fact,Express was the first to report last month about the construction of the dam.

Describing India-China relations as “complex”,Rao said the dialogue with that country will acquire “more substance and more relevance” in the years to come. She said the two countries would also be able to resolve all outstanding issues including the boundary matter through proper mechanism.

The issue had figured in the meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India and East Asia Summit in Thailand last month.

As the NRSA confirms report in The Indian Express last month,the CoS,headed by Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar,decided that the issue should be tackled at the political level through the Ministry of External Affairs. The meeting of the CoS decided to “constantly monitor” various aspects of the construction through different sub-groups set up by the CoS.

Rao also downplayed the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s reaction to the Dalai Lama’s visit to Tawang this month as she said that there was no “strain” in the relationship and that it was very evident at various levels,including the recent meeting between the two Prime Ministers.