China on Monday criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah for visiting the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, calling it a violation of Chinese sovereignty.
During his regular press conference on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin asserted that “Zangnan is part of China’s territory.” Zangnan is the official name for South Tibet, which, according to China, includes Arunachal Pradesh as well.
Wang added that Shah’s move “violates China’s territorial sovereignty” and is “not conducive to peace and tranquility in the border areas.” “We are firmly against this,” he underscored.
Significance of Shah’s Arunachal Visit
On Monday, Shah visited the remote state, including the strategic Kibithoo village near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) — India’s de facto border with China.
During this visit, Shah launched New Delhi’s $585 million development scheme for the northeast of the country, called the Vibrant Villages programme.
Home Minister Amit Shah in Arunachal Pradesh, to launch Vibrant Village Program, interact with ITBP personnel & lay wreath at Walong War memorial
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) April 10, 2023
According to Shah, the scheme brings together almost 3,000 villages in four states under its mandate and aims to prevent migration out of border areas. He further emphasised that the Modi government has prioritised border areas, as evident through the development and infrastructure work carried out in the region.
During a rally in the state, Shah said that “The era is gone when anyone could encroach on our lands. Now, not even land equal to ‘sui ki nook’ (inch of land) can be encroached.”
The minister also applauded the security work, which allows the country to “peacefully sleep in their homes,” by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Indian Army in the tense border region. “Today, we can proudly say that no one has the power to cast an evil eye on us,” he concluded.
The commitment of the @ITBP_official soldiers to protect the borders of the nation in one of the toughest terrains in the world is truly inspiring.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 10, 2023
Pleased to accompany them in their Badakhana, a ritual in which soldiers of all ranks dine together as a mark of brotherhood. pic.twitter.com/n61mTe0RLj
History of Territorial Dispute
China recognises the state of Arunachal Pradesh as part of South Tibet, which comes under the Tibet Autonomous Region, and has historically objected to official visits to the region administered by India.
For its own part, New Delhi has consistently dismissed the claim, underscoring that the northeastern state is an integral part of India.
Till a few years ago, the outmigration from the habitats along the borders was a matter of concern for the government. But under the leadership of Modi Ji, today development is reaching the border areas resulting in a slowing down of outmigration and strengthening of borders. pic.twitter.com/iJYQccXZK9
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 10, 2023
Shah’s visit to the state comes days after China announced that it would be renaming 11 places in Arunachal Pradesh, including “two residential areas, five mountain peaks, two rivers, and two other areas.”
The names will be released in Chinese characters, Tibetan, and pinyin and will include other characters to show “respect for ethnic culture.”
Indian Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi rejected the move, saying that Beijing’s attempt to “assign invented names” would not change the reality.