The Ministry of External Affairs reiterated that the state of Arunachal Pradesh was, is and always will be an ‘integral and inalienable’ part of India, a day after Chinese officials lodged an official protest over Prime Minister Narendra Modi visit to India’s projects in the region.
“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,” the MEA said in a statement on Tuesday.
“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 MEA added.
PM Modi on Saturday dedicated to the nation the Sela Tunnel built at an altitude of 13,000 feet in Arunachal Pradesh that will provide all-weather connectivity to strategically located Tawang and is expected to ensure better movement of troops along the frontier region.
The Rs 825 crore tunnel, constructed on the road connecting Assam’s Tezpur to West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh, is being billed as the longest bi-lane road tunnel in the world at such an altitude.
The Sela Tunnel will provide for better movement of troops and weaponry to various forward locations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, according to military officials.
Chinese officials on Monday lodged a diplomatic protest with India over PM Modi’s visit to the state last week and said that it will only complicate matters further.
China has never recognised the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh and said that it will only complicate matters further.
Also, China has never recognised the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh and has termed the region ‘Zangnan’, part of South Tibet.
“Zangnan area is Chinese territory. India has no right to arbitrarily develop the area of Zangnan in China.
India’s relevant moves will only complicate the boundary question and disrupt the situation in the border areas between the two countries,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said.
“China strongly deplores and firmly opposes the Indian leader’s visit to the East Section of the China-India boundary.
We have made solemn representations to India,” Wang added.
