Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju has said that despite improvement in trade relations with China, the ministry is conscious of the threat.

“In the past few years, trade with China has really gone up but that would not take the focus away from the border problem although we would like to concentrate on the positive issue at this moment,” said Raju.

On the issue of contentious border problem with China over Arunachal Pradesh, Raju said there were divergent views between the two countries on it. “China considers the state (Arunachal Pradesh) to be theirs and we consider it to be ours. In spite of this, there has been no border skirmish, no incidents and no firing so far,” said raju.

“But we are conscious of the threat and are not undermining it but it is a matter of perception,” he added.

The minister said around Rs 1,000 crore has been earmarked for securing the border with Bangladesh which will include fencing along the longest international border that India shares with another nation.

“Apart from that, Rs 1,500 crore is being spent on the first part of the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for the Northeast and Rs 3000 crore has been allocated for the second phase. The project will be completed in three phases and is a part of the border strengthening programme in the Northeast,” Raju added.