'China claims 90,000 km of Indian land'

China illegally claims approximately 90,000 square kilometres of Indian territory including Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said on Wednesday.

"Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and the government has conveyed this fact to the Chinese side," Mukherjee told the Lok Sabha in a written reply.

In reply to another query, he said China disputes the international boundary with India. Since 1993, the two governments have agreed to maintain peace and tranquility along the line of actual control (LAC) in the India-China and border areas, without prejudice to their respective positions on the alignment of the LAC as well as on the boundary question, he said.

Mukherjee said both sides have agreed to clarify the LAC and to take up perceived violations through established mechanisms including the Joint Working Group, the Expert Group, border personnel meetings, flag meetings and diplomatic channels.

Kaladan: The Kaladan multi-modal transit transport facility providing connectivity between Indian ports on the eastern seaboard and the Sittwe port in Myanmar will be completed in five years from its date of commencement, Mukherjee said in reply to a separate question.

Work on the project will begin after the Agreement and protocols are signed by India and Myanmar, he said.
The project will provide an alternate route for transport of goods to north-east India through Myanmar, Mukherjee said.