In his first public remarks addressing China’s recurrent assertions regarding Arunachal Pradesh and its objection to Indian leaders’ visits to the region, Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar rejected China’s repetitive assertions as “ludicrous.” He firmly emphasised that the northeastern state is an “integral component of India’s territory.”
Comments from Jaishankar
“This is not a new issue. I mean China has laid claim, it has expanded its claim. The claims were ludicrous to begin with and remain ludicrous today,” Jaishankar said, responding to a question on the issue after a lecture at the NUS Institute of South Asian Studies in Singapore.
He underscored that Arunachal Pradesh is a “natural part of India.” “So, I think we’ve been very clear, very consistent on this. And I think, you know, that is something which will be part of the boundary discussions that are taking place,” he concluded.
EAM Jaishankar slams China. Calls Beijing's claims on Arunachal Pradesh "Ludicrous" https://t.co/uAvzwH5PDp pic.twitter.com/jxux2QbvUD
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) March 23, 2024
Comments from China
In response to the EAM’s comments, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said during his regular press conference on Monday that “The China-India boundary has never been delimited and is divided into the eastern sector, the middle sector, the western sector, and Sikkim sector.”
Arunachal Pradesh, which China recognises as Zangnan, “has always been China’s territory [...] China had all along exercised effective administrative jurisdiction over Zangnan until India’s illegal occupation. This is a basic fact that cannot be denied,” Lin stated.
He added that “in 1987, India formed the so-called “Arunachal Pradesh” on China’s territory under India’s illegal occupation. China issued a statement right then to firmly oppose it and stress that India’s move was illegal and null and void. China’s position remains unchanged.”
Recent Spat
Earlier this month, Indian PM Narendra Modi visited the Sela Tunnel, which will provide all-weather connectivity to the strategically important Tawang region across Sela Pass on the Balipara-Chariduar-Tawang Road in Arunachal Pradesh. It is also expected to enhance troop movement in the frontier region.
Subsequently, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told the media that China “strongly deplores and firmly opposes the Indian leader’s visit to the East Section of the China-India boundary” and has “made solemn representations to India” regarding the same. Wang reiterated that China has “never recognised” Arunachal Pradesh, which was “illegally set up by India,” and that Beijing “firmly opposes it.”
India’s Ministry of External Affairs responded that such comments from Beijing “will not change the reality that the State of Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India.”