India on Tuesday rejected China's remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh. In a firm statement, Spokesperson of the External Affairs Ministry, Randhir Jaiswal, said that China objecting to the Prime Minister's visit to the northeastern state "does not stand to reason".
The government also reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh "was, is, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India".
"We reject the comments made by the Chinese side regarding the visit of the Prime Minister to Arunachal Pradesh. Indian leaders visit Arunachal Pradesh from time to time, as they visit other states of India. Objecting to such visits or India's developmental projects does not stand to reason. Further, it will not change the reality that the State of Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. (The) Chinese side has been made aware of this consistent position on several occasions," the statement read.
PM Modi visited Arunachal Pradesh on March 9 to inaugurate the strategically important Sela Tunnel, the world's longest twin-lane tunnel. China said that its government has "never recognised the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally set up by India and firmly opposes it".
Chinese Foreign Ministry's spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, made the statement on Monday, while responding to a question about PM Modi's visit to Arunachal Pradesh.
"The area of Zangnan is Chinese territory," Wang said.
Wang's remarks reflect China's longstanding claim over Arunachal Pradesh, which it refers to as 'South Tibet.'
The Chinese Foreign Minister said, "India’s relevant moves will only complicate the boundary question and disrupt the situation in the border areas between the two countries."
While India continues to assert its sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh, reinforcing it with developmental projects such as the Sela Tunnel, China has been opposing India’s position, viewing such actions as provocations. The Sela Tunnel, highlighted by the Defence Ministry for its strategic significance in ensuring all-weather connectivity and bolstering defence preparedness, is seen by China as an unwelcome assertion of Indian influence.
The latest exchange between the two neighbours underscores the ongoing complexities and sensitivities in their bilateral relations, especially against the backdrop of historical and current territorial disputes.
