The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday criticised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] for not including a visit to Tawang in his itinerary during his tour of Arunachal Pradesh, saying it did not give the right signal.

"We are deeply concerned about the Prime Minister omitting a visit to Tawang during his trip to Arunachal Pradesh. It is a matter of serious concern," said BJP spokesman Ravishankar Prasad.

His comments came as Singh began his two-day visit to Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday.

Noting that Tawang has symbolic and historic significance as several Indian soldiers laid down their lives there during the 1962 war with China, Prasad said it was an important step as China had repeatedly laid claim on Tawang.

"In this context, the Prime Minister omitting Tawang in his itinerary is a matter of great concern and BJP thoroughly disapproves of it," the spokesman said.

"When the Prime Minister is not visiting Tawang, the Centre is not giving the right signal," he said.