Days after the Chinese military called Arunachal Pradesh an “inherent part of China’s territory”, the US state department said, the US government recognised Arunachal Pradesh as a part of India territory and “strongly” opposed any “incursion or encroachments” along the Line of Actual Control.
“The United States recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursion or encroachments, military or civilian across the Line of Actual Control,” it said.
Chinese defense ministry spokesman senior colonel Zhang Xiaogang had said the southern part of Xizang (the Chinese name for Tibet) is an inherent part of China’s territory, and Beijing “never acknowledges and firmly opposes” the “so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established by India,” according to official media.
The remarks came in response to India’s move to strengthen its military through the strategic Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh.
China frequently opposes to Indian leaders visiting the territory to promote its claims. Beijing too has dubbed the region Zangnan.
It said on Monday that it had lodged a diplomatic protest with India over PM Modi’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh last week. It reiterated its claim over the region by saying “India’s moves will only complicate the unresolved boundary question”.
Taking note of the “absurd claims” of China’s defence minister, the ministry of external affairs said on Tuesday that Arunachal Pradesh “was, is and will always be” an integral and inalienable part of India.
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