External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna informed the Rajya Sabha that China was in possession of 38,000 sq. kms of Indian territory in J and K after the 1962 war, besides 5180 sq. kms of land illegally ceded by Pakistan under an agreement in 1963. Krishna stated that India had always maintained that the boundary agreement between China and Pakistan was “illegal and invalid.”

On the issue of the Chinese secretly building a port at Humbantota, Sri Lanka, Mr. Krishna stated that the government was aware of the port development with Chinese assistance since 2007, and added that India had not approached Sri Lanka regarding the issue1.

Home Minister P. Chidambaram told reporters in New Delhi on August 1 that the central government was working to amend the provisions of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and explore ways to “limit its application.” Political parties in J and K have been demanding the repeal of AFSPA contending that the Act gave unfettered powers to armed forces. Reports noted that the government might explore the possibility of phased withdrawal of the AFSPA in two districts of Kashmir - Srinagar and Budgam, and two in Jammu region - Jammu and Kathua, as these districts had registered minimum violence during the past one year. Apart from J&K, Manipur had also witnessed violent protests demanding the repeal of the Act2.

• 1. “China in possession of 38,000 sq km J&K land,” Daily Excelsior, July 31, 2009, at http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/web1/09july31/news2.htm#2
• 2. “AFSPA amendments getting ready: Chidambaram,” Daily Excelsior, August 2, 2009, at http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/web1/09aug02/news.htm#1