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.

India Cites Salahuddin’s Claim as Proof of State-Sponsored Terrorism

In a response to the interview by global terrorist Syed Salauddin, the Pakistan-based self-styled head of the United Jihad Council and Chief of internationally designated terrorist organisation Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, telecast by a Pakistan TV Channel on 2 July 2017, India said it was a clear example of terrorists being given shelter in Pakistan.

The official Spokesperson said:”The brazen admission by Syed Salauddin of perpetrating terrorist attacks on India and having the capacity to carry out such attacks at any place and time in India is a further proof of Pakistan’s continuing policy of cross border terrorism.”

He said the confession affirms the complicity of Pakistan’s state mechanism in using terrorist proxies as a matter of policy against the neighbours. The interview clearly “highlights the unabashed manner in which terrorist organisations and leaders enjoy freedom of operations in Pakistan, including access to terror financing and procurement and supply of weapons for terrorism,” he said.

Indian spokesperson also said that it is a matter of deep regret that senior Pakistan functionaries continue to justify and defend the activities of such internationally designated terrorist entities and leaders. These terrorists are responsible for killing thousands of innocent civilians over the past three decades, he added.

“Pakistan must give up its policy of cross-border terrorism, fulfill its obligations under international resolutions and stop all activities of terrorists from the territory under Pakistan’s control,” sid the spokesperson in a ministry briefing.

Post-Hafiz Saeed House Arrest, India Seeks Credible Crack Down by Pakistan

In an official response to the preventive detention of Hafiz Saeed and others by Pakistan on Tuesday, India’s spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Mr Vikas Swarup said credible steps by Pakistan required to show its commitment to end terrorism.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior placed on Tuesday the Jamaat-ud-Dawa and the Falah–e-Insaniyet Foundation under the watchlist. Also the Falah-e-Insaniyet Foundation has been included in the second schedule of their anti-terror legislation under United Nations Security Council Resolution No. 1267.

“We have also noted that Hafiz Saeed and four others have been placed under preventive detention,” said Mr. Swarup.

The United Nations Security Council 1267 provisions maintain that the countries should list and prosecute known terrorist entities and individuals effectively. India said it has consistently called for bringing known terrorists under the ambit of the 1267 sanctions.

“Exercises such as yesterday’s orders against Hafiz Saeed and others have been carried out by Pakistan in the past also. Only a credible crack down on the mastermind of the Mumbai terrorist attack and terrorist organizations involved in cross border terrorism would be proof of Pakistan’s sincerity,” said Mr. Swarup in a cautious response to the development.

Hafiz Muhammad Saeed is a co-founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba, which operates from Pakistan soil and has had sanctions placed against it by the United Nations as a terrorist organisation. India has long been demanding his arrest and prosecution.