India, March 12 (Punjab Khabarnama): India has dismissed China’s assertion that Arunachal Pradesh is part of Chinese territory, emphasizing that the state remains an integral and inalienable part of India. The comments follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh on March 9 for the inauguration of key infrastructure projects. China, which refers to the region as “Zangnan” or South Tibet, claimed the area as Chinese territory and reiterated that it has never recognized Arunachal Pradesh.
External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “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.” Jaiswal highlighted that the Chinese side has been made aware of India’s consistent position on multiple occasions.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin had deplored Modi’s visit, contending that India has “no right to arbitrarily develop” Arunachal Pradesh, and such actions would complicate the boundary question and disrupt the situation in the border areas. India, currently focused on upgrading infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control, inaugurated the Sela Tunnel, a crucial development for all-weather connectivity in the strategic northeastern state. The ongoing military standoff with China in Ladakh remains a key aspect of the overall bilateral relationship.