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The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday lashed out at China for “advancing absurd claims” over the territory of Arunachal Pradesh and strongly reiterated that the northeastern state will remain an “integral and inalienable part” of India forever.
The Ministry’s response followed Beijing’s statement that it “never acknowledges and firmly opposes” the “so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established by India.”
In a statement, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal remarked on the comments made by the Spokesperson of the Chinese Defence Ministry, dismissing them as “absurd claims” regarding the territory of the Indian State of Arunachal Pradesh.
Jaiswal reiterated that such baseless arguments hold no validity, emphasizing that Arunachal Pradesh has always been and will remain an integral and inalienable part of India. He affirmed that the people of Arunachal Pradesh will continue to benefit from India’s development programs and infrastructure projects.
Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the Chinese Defence Ministry, asserted that the southern part of Xizang, the Chinese name for Tibet, is an inherent part of its territory. This statement came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh to inaugurate the strategically significant Sela tunnel, situated at an altitude of 13,000 feet, which will ensure all-weather connectivity to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.
Zhang criticized India’s actions, stating that they contradict efforts made by both sides to ease border tensions and are not conducive to maintaining peace and tranquility in border areas.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin expressed strong disapproval of PM Modi’s visit, stating that it would only complicate the boundary issue. In response, Jaiswal rejected Wenbin’s remarks, asserting that India has consistently communicated its position on Arunachal Pradesh to the Chinese side on numerous occasions.
