India responds to China on Arunachal: “Repetitive baseless arguments”

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.

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.

Heavy Rains to Lash Out Assam, Meghalaya This Weekend: Indian Met Agency

Indian Meteorlogical Department has issued heavy to very heavy rains in nothern and north-eastern and eastern states of Uttarakhand, East Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Sub­ Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura.

Here is the weather forecast issued by IMD for the week starting from July 7, 2017 to July 11, 2017:

07JULY(Day1):♦ Heavy to very heavy rain very likely at isolated places over Assam & Meghalaya; heavy at isolated places over Uttarakhand, East Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Sub­ Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura.

08JULY(Day2):♦Heavy  to very heavy rain very likely at isolated places with extremely heavy at isolated places over Assam Meghalaya; heavy at isolated places over Uttarakhand, East Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Sub Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram &Tripura.

09JULY(Day3):♦Heavy to very heavy rain very likely at isolated places with extremely heavy at isolated places over Assam & Meghalaya; heavy to very heavy at isolated places over Sub­ Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim; heavy at   isolated places over Uttarakhand, East Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram &Tripura.

10July(Day4):♦Heavy to very heavy rain very likely at isolated places over Uttarakhand, Sub Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim, Assam & Meghalaya; heavy at isolated places over Himachal Pradesh, East Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura and Kerala.

11July(Day5):♦Heavy to very heavy rain very likely at isolated places over Himachal Pradesh; heavy at isolated places over Uttarakhand, West Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Sub­ Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram &Tripura, Konkan & Goa and Coastal Karnataka.