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On the second day of a visit to the strategic border state of Sikkim, India's Prime Minister Indira Gandhi accused China of hostile activities on India's borders. In what the Press Trust of India said was an obvious reference to China, she accused some countries of continuing to embark on what she called inimical activities on Indian border. Speaking at a mass rally in the state capital of Gangtok, she said Sikkim had to be strong in the interests of India's security.



Mrs. Gandhi told the rally that India always sought amity and good relations with its enemy. But unfortunately, she said, the hands of friendship had so far been spurned. When Sikkim was absorbed as India's twenty-second state earlier this year, China accused India of annexing the former Himalayan Kingdom. Today, India has heavy troop concentrations in the state, potentially the fastest land route into the rest of India from Chinese-ruled Tibet.




Initials



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Background: India's Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, on the second day of a visit to the strategic border state of Sikkim on Thursday (20 November), accused China of hostile activities on India's borders.

Speaking at a mass rally in the Sikkim capital of Gangtok, she said the north eastern Himalayan state had to be strong in the interest of India's security.

In what the Press Trust of India said was an obvious reference to China, Mrs. Gandhi accused "some countries of continuing to embark on inimical activities on our borders".

She said, "we have always sought amity and good relations with our enemy. But unfortunately, the hands of friendship have so far been spurned."
When the former Himalayan Kingdom was absorbed as India's 22nd state earlier this year, China accused India of annexing it. Today, India has heavy troop concentrations in Sikkim, potentially the fastest land route into the rest of India from Chinese-ruled Tibet.

Last month, India accused Chinese troops of killing four Indian soldiers on Indian border territory. China said the Indians has strayed into its area.