India on Thursday expressed “concern” over contamination of the Siang river in Arunachal Pradesh and said it has ascertained certain facts on the issue, which figured during the meeting between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi here.
External Affairs Minister Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar also said the ministry was coordinating with the water resources ministry while referring to existing mechanisms between India and China to deal with issues pertaining to waters.
“Naturally, it is a matter of concern to us.
He was asked about the Siang river water “unfit” for human consumption, amid speculation that the water was contaminated due to China.
Kumar also said the issue had come up during the meeting between Swaraj and Wang.
However, he did not elaborate.
The standoff put the bilateral relations under severe pressure.” The ministry had issued a statement regarding the issues discussed in the meeting that included the Doklam episode.
Chinese and Indian troops were locked in a 73-day border standoff from June 16 when Indian soldiers stopped Chinese personnel from building a key road close to India’s ‘chicken’s neck’ corridor.
On August 28, India announced the “disengagement” between the soldiers of the two countries.
The road was being built by China in an area also claimed by Bhutan.