Terming yet another Chinese transgression into the Finger Area in northern Sikkim as “unfortunate”, Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju said on Thursday that as far is India is concerned, Sikkim is a closed chapter with no border dispute. Indicating that the fresh incident of incursion is being taken seriously by New Delhi, the minister said the issue will be raised at the highest level and will be discussed at the next flag meeting on the border. Commenting on Monday’s incident, which is believed to be the 69th instance of incursion in Sikkim this year, the minister said that as “responsible neighbours”, the two countries would settle the issue. Monday’s incident is being taken very seriously as it took place despite the Government ordering a fresh survey of the area using the latest technology to validate and verify Indian positions in response to Chinese claims. The transgression took place just two weeks after External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee’s Beijing visit, with vehicle-mounted Chinese troops entering the Finger Area despite a ban issued by the Army on their entry.“The issue of incursions will be raised at the next flag meeting (between the Indian Army and PLA) and also discussed at the appropriate highest level. As two responsible neighbours, we will sort it out,” Raju said at the sidelines of a seminar on ‘Indian ways of war fighting’ organised by the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS).The incursions are being seen as an effort by China to open a fresh front of border dispute after Arunachal Pradesh. India once again asserted that Sikkim was an integral part of the country and there has never been any dispute about the boundary. “It is unfortunate that these (incursions) have happened and it (the dispute) is being raised again. Sikkim is a closed chapter as far as we are concerned,” Raju said.As reported by The Indian Express on May 18, the Finger Area has emerged as the latest flashpoint between the two countries after China laid claim to the tract of land. India has strengthened its defences in the area and is maintaining a permanent post to keep watch over Chinese troop movements.
