Guwahati: Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday accused the previous Congress-led govt of deliberately leaving India’s frontier areas underdeveloped, saying the Narendra Modi-led govt had reversed the policy by accelerating road construction and other strategic infrastructure projects along the border.The Arunachal Pradesh MP made the remarks during a visit to Maza, Galemo and Taksing in upper Subansiri district, amid concerns over reported Chinese PLA activity near border villages, drawing a contrast between the policy adopted by the previous regime and the Centre’s current push to develop infrastructure along the Arunachal frontier.“Some people casually commented on border. Border areas are tough but @narendramodi govt is committed to border development. I went to Maza, Galemo, Taksing areas in Arunachal Pradesh to speed up infrastructure works. Borders were neglected in the past but it’s top priority now,” Rijiju wrote on X.In a separate post targeting Congress, Rijiju said former defence minister AK Antony had been “honest” in acknowledging the previous govt’s policy on border infrastructure.“Amongst the Congress leaders, AK Antony ji was honest. As defence minister, he admitted the Congress govt’s policy of not making infrastructure in border area, on the floor of the Parliament,” Rijiju wrote, sharing a video of Antony’s September 6, 2013, speech in Parliament.Antony had said the earlier policy was based on the belief that an undeveloped border offered better defence. He also acknowledged that China had moved ahead of India in infrastructure and capabilities along several frontier areas.“Independent India had for many years had a policy—best defence is not to develop the border. Undeveloped border is more safe than developed border. So, for many years there was no construction of roads, airfields. Nothing in the border areas. By that time China continued to develop their infrastructure in the border areas. So as a result, they have gone ahead of us. Compared to us, infrastructure-wise, capability-wise they are ahead. I admit that. It’s a part of history,” Antony is reportedly heard saying in the video.The upper Subansiri frontier remains among the most difficult stretches of the India-China boundary, with rugged terrain and limited connectivity posing challenges for residents and security forces. Infrastructure development there is significant for civilian connectivity, strategic mobility and sustaining India’s presence along the Line of Actual Control.
