New Delhi, Mar 19: India has once again firmly rejected China’s “absurd claims” and “baseless arguments” regarding the status of Arunachal Pradesh, reaffirming that it remains an “integral and inalienable part of India.”
Responding to recent remarks from the Spokesperson of the Chinese Defence Ministry concerning Arunachal Pradesh, Randhir Jaiswal, the Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, emphasised India’s stance, stating, “We have taken note of the remarks made by the Spokesperson of the Chinese Defence Ministry, which put forward unfounded claims regarding the territory of the Indian State of Arunachal Pradesh. Reiterating such baseless assertions does not lend them any credence. Arunachal Pradesh has been, is, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India.
Its residents will continue to benefit from our developmental initiatives and infrastructure projects.”
The recent restatement of China’s claim over Arunachal Pradesh and asserting it as an inherent part of China’s territory was made by the spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defence, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, on March 15th.
This statement from the Chinese military follows closely on the heels of India’s firm response to China’s objections regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh on March 9.
In an earlier statement issued on March 12th, the MEA spokesperson rebuffed China’s objections, asserting, “We reject the remarks made by the Chinese side regarding the Prime Minister’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh. Indian leaders visit Arunachal Pradesh on various occasions, just as they visit other states of India.”
Randhir Jaiswal further added that “ Objecting to such visits or India’s developmental projects lacks justification. Furthermore, it does not alter the reality that Arunachal Pradesh has always been, is, and will remain an integral and inalienable part of India. The Chinese side has been informed of this consistent position on multiple occasions.”
Prime Minister Modi had virtually inaugurated the strategically significant Sela Tunnel on March 9th, during an event held in Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh. Situated at an altitude of 13,000 feet, the tunnel, constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), lies on the route connecting Tezpur, Assam, to Tawang in the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh, near the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
China, often objects to visits by Indian leaders to the state, reiterating its claims to the region. Furthermore, China, through its official newspaper Global Times, has been commenting on various aspects of India, including its elections and relations with the United States.