China Arunachal Pradesh Dispute: Following the Chinese military’s designation of the state as a “inherent part of China’s territory,” a US official stated that Washington recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory. The official stated that the US vehemently opposes any efforts to expand territorial claims beyond the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Recognition of Arunachal Pradesh as Indian Territory
Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US State Department, stated during his daily conference on Wednesday that, “The United States recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory, and we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions or encroachments, military or civilian, across the Line of Actual Control.”
Three days prior, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesman for China’s Defence Ministry, declared that Beijing “never acknowledges and firmly opposes” the “so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established by India.” This was the declaration made by the US official.
Arunachal Pradesh Designated as ‘Zangnan’
Arunachal Pradesh is recognised as “Zangnan” by China. China’s claim was rebuffed as “absurd” by Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Tuesday, who also restated the assertion that Arunachal Pradesh “was, is, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India”.
“Repeating baseless arguments in this regard does not lend such claims any validity. 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,” he said.
Beijing Protests Modi’s Visit to Arunachal Pradesh
Beijing protested to New Delhi earlier this month over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh, where he officially opened the world’s longest bi-lane tunnel, the Sela tunnel, which will guarantee year-round access to Tawang, which is bordered by China in the north.
Better troop and weapon transportation to forward sites along the LAC is expected as a result of the tunnel, which was constructed at an expense of Rs 825 crore. China declared at the time that it “firmly opposes and has never recognised the so-called Arunachal Pradesh, which was illegally set up by India.”
