US Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced a bipartisan Senate resolution on Tuesday reaffirming Washington’s recognition of the state of Arunachal Pradesh as an “integral” part of India.
McMahon Line Recognition
The newly passed resolution recognises the McMahon Line as the international boundary between the two neighbours and “pushes back” against Chinese claims that the contested state is part of Chinese territory, part of China’s “increasingly aggressive and expansionist policies.”
It condemned China’s provocations, including the use of military force to change the status quo along the de facto border, setting up of villages in disputed areas, publication of maps with Mandarin-language names for cities in Arunachal, and expansion of territorial claims in Bhutan.
Arunachal Not a Part of China
Senator Merkley said that the resolution “makes clear” that the US “views the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh as part of the Republic of India— not the People’s Republic of China — and commits the US to deepening support and assistance to the region, alongside like-minded international partners and donors.”
Resolution in US Senate "reaffirming Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory" & Condemning Chinese "provocations": pic.twitter.com/42wAMsggcd
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) February 17, 2023
He added that while the US’ values support “freedom and a rules-based order at the centre of all of [its] actions and relationships around the world,” China reflected “an alternative vision.”
Relationship Building with India
On the flip side, the resolution commended New Delhi for defending itself against Chinese aggression and security threats, including by “securing its telecommunications infrastructure; examining its procurement processes and supply chains; implementing investment screening standards; and expanding its cooperation with Taiwan in public health and other sectors.”
It further pledged to strengthen ties with India in the fields of defence, technology, and economics and enhance multilateral cooperation through the Quad, the East Asia Summit, and other international fora.
Clashes in Arunachal
The move comes after Indian and Chinese troops clashed along the disputed border in Arunachal Pradesh in December 2022, leaving several injured on both sides.
In a statement, the Indian Army said that troops from both sides “immediately disengaged” after the clash, which occurred in Yangtse, 35 kilometres northeast of the Tawang sector in Arunachal Pradesh.