External affairs minister S.M. Krishna on Thursday assured the principal opposition BJP that India is keeping a strict watch on Chinese presence in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and is in touch with the government of the neighbouring country on the issue.
BJP spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Vijay on Thursday met Krishna at the latter's South block office to discuss reports of Chinese incursion in PoK.
"The external affairs minister told me that India is keeping a strict watch on Chinese presence in PoK and we are quite capable and confident of handling the situation. He said there is no need to panic," Vijay said after the meeting.
The BJP leader said he urged Krishna to take up the matter with the Chinese government at the highest level as their presence in an area "which legally belongs to India and is at present under illegal occupation of Pakistan is a matter of serious security concern for us".
Krishna further assured Vijay that his ministry is in touch with the Chinese government on the issue.
The Chinese government has claimed that it is helping in the development process in PoK.
"I told the minister to trust but verify (China's claim)," Vijay said.
In the meeting, Vijay apprised the external affairs minister of China's prowess in infrastructure building, manufacturing and military capabilities which he observed during his recent visit to the country.
The two leaders agreed that India must continue to build friendly relations with China but must not lower the level of caution.
The need for more people-to-people contact between the two countries and increasing awareness about China among Indians was also emphasised.
"We are more US and Europe centric while the future belongs to the East," Vijay said.