1. The Ministry of External Affairs rejects China’s recent claims on Arunachal Pradesh as “absurd” and baseless.
2. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reaffirms Arunachal Pradesh’s integral status within India.
3. Jaiswal condemns China’s repeated assertions, emphasizing India’s commitment to the region’s development.
Itanagar, March 19: The Ministry of External Affairs dismissed China’s recent claims regarding Arunachal Pradesh as “absurd” and lacking in validity.
Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the ministry, reaffirmed that Arunachal Pradesh remains an integral part of India and condemned China’s repeated assertions to the contrary.
The response came after Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the Chinese Defence Ministry, reiterated China’s stance on Arunachal Pradesh, labeling it as an “inherent part” of China’s territory.
Zhang also objected to India’s military enhancements in the region, particularly citing the construction of the Sela Tunnel, which aims to improve connectivity to Tawang.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sela Tunnel on March 9, a project situated at an altitude of 13,000 feet in Arunachal Pradesh.
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This tunnel is strategically significant, providing all-weather connectivity to Tawang and facilitating smoother troop movement along the border.
In response to China’s objections, Jaiswal emphasized India’s sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that the region has always been and will continue to be an integral part of the country.
He dismissed China’s claims as baseless and reiterated India’s commitment to the development and welfare of the people of Arunachal Pradesh.
Furthermore, China’s objection to Indian leaders visiting Arunachal Pradesh is not new, as Beijing consistently asserts its claim over the region, referring to it as Zangnan and considering it part of South Tibet.
Jaiswal’s statement underscored India’s rejection of China’s attempts to question its territorial integrity and reiterated India’s resolve to continue its developmental initiatives in Arunachal Pradesh for the benefit of its residents.
