In a recent statement, China once again ignited tensions with India, adamantly refusing to acknowledge and vehemently opposing what it deems as India’s illicit claim over the region known as Arunachal Pradesh.
During a press briefing last Saturday, Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Chinese Defence Ministry, asserted, “Zangnan remains an integral part of China, and we adamantly refute India’s unauthorized assertion of the so-called ‘Arunachal Pradesh’.”
He emphasized the current stability in the China-India border regions, highlighting ongoing diplomatic and military dialogues aimed at addressing mutual border concerns.
This latest development follows a diplomatic reproach from the Chinese Foreign Ministry directed at India following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh, where he inaugurated the strategically significant Sela tunnel. China, laying claim to Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet, criticized India’s actions, deeming them as exacerbating the boundary dispute.
“The so-called ‘Arunachal Pradesh’ unilaterally established by India is not recognized by China, and we firmly oppose it,” declared Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin during a press conference.
Wenbin further contested India’s rights to develop the Zangnan region within China’s boundaries, emphasizing China’s designation of Arunachal Pradesh as Zangnan.
“India’s initiatives run counter to the joint efforts to de-escalate border tensions and are detrimental to preserving peace and stability along the borders. We urge India to refrain from actions complicating the boundary issue and earnestly uphold peace and stability in the border regions. The Chinese military remains vigilant and will steadfastly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” added Colonel Zhang Xiaogang.
Notably, on March 9, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the Sela tunnel, touted as the world’s longest two-lane tunnel, connecting Tezpur in Assam to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. Constructed at a cost of Rs 825 crore, the tunnel stands at an altitude of 13,000 feet.
Meanwhile, India rebuffed China’s objections to the Prime Minister’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that such visits and developmental projects are well within India’s sovereign rights.
Responding to media inquiries, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, stated, “We dismiss China’s objections to the Prime Minister’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh. Indian leaders visit the region regularly, as they do with other states within India.”
“Protesting against such visits or India’s developmental endeavors lacks rationale. Moreover, it does not alter the fact that Arunachal Pradesh has been, is, and will always remain an integral and inseparable part of India. The Chinese authorities have been apprised of this unwavering stance on numerous occasions,” Jaiswal concluded.