China raises again its claim over Arunachal Pradesh

Despite India’s stand, Chinese Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the Chinese Defence Ministry, reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh is their territory, aimed at keeping the issue burning as ever.

Zhang’s comments came in response to India’s recent reinforcement of military infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh, specifically through the construction of the Sela Tunnel, aimed at improving connectivity and troop movement in the strategically significant area.

China consistently maintained that Indian leaders’ visits to Arunachal Pradesh, which it refers to as South Tibet,  undermine its territorial claims. However, India firmly rejected China’s assertions, maintaining Arunachal Pradesh’s integral status within the nation and disregarding China’s attempts to rename the region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh, where he inaugurated the Sela Tunnel, drew criticism from China. Zhang criticized Modi’s visit, stating that it hinders efforts to ease border tensions and disrupts peace in the region. He urged India to refrain from actions complicating the border issue and emphasized China’s commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

China’s response followed a diplomatic protest lodged earlier against India by the Chinese Foreign Ministry over Modi’s visit.

India, in turn, firmly rejected China’s objection, reaffirming Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of India. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India’s stance, emphasizing that objections to Indian leaders’ visits or developmental projects in Arunachal Pradesh lack rationale and do not change the factual status of the state.