In Arunachal, Shah aims dig at opposition for border infrastructure neglect

GUWAHATI: Launching the ‘Vibrant Villages Programme’ (VVP) at Kibithoo, Union home minister Amit Shah said the village is India’s first and not the last.
“This conceptual change is because of PM Modi — his love, affection and respect for the people living in the difficult terrain, the border guarding forces and the Army. Border areas are the priority of the prime minister. They are crucial for national security and that is why our government has continuously worked to enhance border infrastructure,” Shah said.
VVP, a scheme conceptualised by PM Modi for speeding up development in villages to encourage the locals not to migrate, also has a strategic dimension as it seeks to create upgraded infrastructure in the border areas — an initiative that has annoyed China.
While China has focused on strengthening the infrastructure on their side of the LAC to facilitate movement of troops, i t has objected to India doing the same on its side of the border. Beijing’s protests acted as a deterrent for Indian authorities until 2014 when the Modi government decided to ramp up work on roads and bridges in areas closer to LAC disregarding objections. Shah took a dig at opposition parties for neglecting the task and said the Modi government accomplished in two terms what non-BJP governments failed to do in 12 terms.
He also praised the ITBP and Army. “The countrymen can sleep peacefully in their homes because of our ITBP jawans and army,” he said.
Shah also inaugurated nine micro hydel projects at Kibithoo which will provide power to the border guarding forces as well.
China has always objected to visits by Indian leaders, including successive PMs, to Arunachal Pradesh. Beijing had earlier opposed India’s decision to host a G20 meeting in March. Undeterred by the objections, the government last week also announced dates for another G20 meeting in J&Kin a move likely to further ruffle Beijing besides Pakistan.
The recent tensions in Arunachal also come at a time when the two countries are still struggling to fully resolve the three-year-old military standoff in eastern Ladakh. India has maintained that it’s important to complete the disengagement process at the LAC in the region, and work towards de-escalation, for bilateral ties to return to normal.