India rejects China’s ‘ridiculous, baseless’ claims over Arunachal Pradesh

New Delhi:

India once again refutes China’s “ridiculous claims” and “baseless” about Arunachal State, claiming that the state is “an integral part of India.”

The people of Arunachal Pradesh will “continue to benefit” from India’s development plans and infrastructure projects, the Ministry of External Affairs said in an official statement today.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “We have taken note of the remarks made by the spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense making absurd claims about the territory of Arunachal Pradesh in India. Repeating baseless arguments does not give any validity to such claims.” Randy L Jaiswal.

“Arunachal Pradesh was, is and will always be an integral part of India. Its people will continue to benefit from our development plans and infrastructure projects,” the statement added.

China’s Ministry of Defense recently reiterated its claim to Arunachal Pradesh, calling the Indian state “Zangan – an inherent part of China’s territory”.

Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense, stated on March 15 that southern Tibet is China’s inherent territory and China has never recognized and firmly opposes India’s illegal establishment of the so-called “Arunachal Pradesh”.

A few days ago, India issued a strong rebuttal to China over Prime Minister Modi’s remarks about visiting Arunachal Pradesh.
The MEA, in an earlier statement, said there was “no justification” for China’s opposition to Indian leaders’ visits or Indian development projects.

“We do not accept China’s remarks about the Prime Minister’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh. Indian leaders visit Arunachal Pradesh from time to time like they visit other states in India. Opposition to such visits or development projects in India is untenable .” MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on March 12.

Furthermore, this does not change the fact that Arunachal Pradesh was, is and will always be an integral part of India. China has stated this consistent position many times.

Prime Minister Modi virtually inaugurated the strategic Sierra Tunnel on March 9 at an event in Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh.

The tunnel is being constructed by the Border Roads Organization (BRO) on the road connecting Tezpur in Assam to Tawang in West Kamung district of Arunachal Pradesh at an altitude of 13,000 feet, close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

China claims Arunachal Pradesh as southern Tibet and has often opposed visits by Indian leaders to the state to reinforce its claims. Beijing also named the region South Tibet.