More diplomatic initiatives needed: Oppn tells Govt

The issue with China and growing unrest in the Kashmir Valley will be raised in the Parliament session beginning next week by opposition parties, who were on Friday briefed by the government about the situation on both the fronts.

Emerging from the meeting, Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma told reporters that their party has raised some doubts before the government but made it clear that "nation is first -- be it China or Kashmir".

"There is too much of tension and that should be lowered through diplomacy. We will also raise the issue in Parliament," both the leaders said.

Sharma said that the Congress made its view clear that national security was the priority and advised the government to rise above politics and tackle the situation diplomatically.

Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien said that his party raised "some serious questions" and claimed that the government had no answer to his question on preparedness for such incidents.

The opposition leaders were briefed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley and top officials, including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, ahead of the Parliament session beginning Monday.

The opposition leaders were told about the prevailing situation in the Sino-Indian border and Jammu and Kashmir and the government's action.

Others who attended the meeting — considered an effort to build consensus on dealings with India's biggest neighbour and Kashmir -- included Mallikarjun Kharge (Congress) Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M), Mulayam Singh Yadav (Samajwadi Party), Ram Vilas Paswan (LJP), Tariq Anwar (NCP) and Sharad Yadav and K C Tyagi (JD-U).

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena, BSP and TMC made scathing attacks on the incumbent government for the security lapses.

Sources also said that two former defence ministers and opposition leaders Sharad Pawar of NCP and SP veteran Mulayam Singh Yadav will also meet the Union Defence Minister Arun Jaitley, but the date and time are not confirmed yet.

New Delhi has expressed concern over China trying to change the status quo at the India-Bhutan-Tibet tri-junction in Dokalam area of Sikkim.