India to tackle boundary issue with China bilaterally: PM

Against the backdrop of the war of words with China over Arunachal Pradesh, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said India will "tackle" the boundary question with the neighbouring country bilaterally.

Against the backdrop of the war of words with China over Arunachal Pradesh, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said India will "tackle" the boundary question with the neighbouring country bilaterally.

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Singh said this to a delegation from Arunachal Pradesh led by Chief Minister Dorji Khandu which requested him to review the defence strategy for the eastern sector in view of incursions by Chinese troops and other developments.

"The Prime Minister told us not to worry. He said the Centre will tackle with the situation bilaterally," Congress MP from Arunachal West Takam Sanjoy, who was part of the delegation, said.

Sanjoy said the Chief Minister requested the Prime Minister to give a big push to infrastructure development to ensure better surveillance over Chinese activities.

The delegation also urged Singh to create a para-military force comprising youths from the state only.

"We demanded formation of Arunachal Scouts comprising only youths from the state as they are willing to join the forces to defend their territory," Sanjoy said adding that the delegation also expressed concern over reports of a dam being constructed by China on river Brahmaputra.