India reaffirmed its sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh, dismissing China’s claims and asserting that the state has always been and will remain an integral part of the country.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed the issue at the Corporate Summit 2024 organized by Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He stated, “If today I change the name of your house, will it become mine? Arunachal Pradesh was, is and will always be a state of India. Changing names does not have an effect.”
China’s Defense Ministry recently reiterated its claim over Arunachal Pradesh, calling it “Zangan–an inherent part of China’s territory.” In response, India rejected the claims, calling them “absurd” and “baseless.”
The Ministry of External Affairs released an official statement, emphasizing Arunachal Pradesh’s integral status in India and its continued development under Indian initiatives.
The statement said, “Arunachal Pradesh was, is and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. Its people will continue to benefit from our development programmes and infrastructure projects.”
In a related development, the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs announced the renaming of 30 places along the border with India, including areas within Arunachal Pradesh, which China refers to as “Zangnan.”
This move is seen as an attempt to assert territorial claims.
Jaishankar responded to these actions, stating, “Our army is deployed at the Line of Actual Control.”
He reiterated that renaming places does not change the ground reality. China has long claimed Arunachal Pradesh as part of South Tibet and has objected to Indian leaders’ visits to the region.
India’s firm stance on Arunachal Pradesh’s sovereignty is based on historical and legal grounds. Despite China’s efforts to assert its claims, India remains resolute in its position, emphasizing the state’s integral status within the country.
Background of the Dispute
China has disputed India’s sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh for decades.
The region, bordering Tibet, has been a point of contention between the two countries, leading to occasional tensions and diplomatic spats.
India-China Border Dispute
The border dispute between India and China dates back to the 1962 Sino-Indian War, which resulted in China gaining control of Aksai Chin.
Since then, both countries have made efforts to resolve the border issue, but disagreements persist, particularly in areas like Arunachal Pradesh.
Impact on India-China Relations
The ongoing dispute over Arunachal Pradesh and other border areas has strained India-China relations.
Despite efforts to improve ties, including high-level meetings and diplomatic engagements, the border issue remains a major point of contention between the two nations.
Future Prospects
The recent developments highlight the complex nature of the India-China relationship, with territorial disputes continuing to be a major challenge.
Both countries will need to find a peaceful and mutually acceptable solution to these issues to ensure stability in the region.
