China objects to VP Naidu's visit to Arunachal Pradesh

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu receives an artwork from the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly speaker, in Itanagar, on October 9. Pic/PTI

China on Wednesday objected to the recent visit of Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu to Arunachal Pradesh, saying the country was opposed to his visit as it has never recognised the state. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of South Tibet. "China's position on the boundary issue is consistent and clear. The Chinese government has never recognised the so-called Arunachal Pradesh established unilaterally and illegally by the Indian side and firmly opposes the Indian leader's visit to this above-mentioned area," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters in Beijing. India strongly rejected China's objection, asserting that the state is an "integral and inalienable" part of India.

Naidu visited Arunachal Pradesh on October 9 and addressed a special session of the state assembly during which he said the visible transformation of the northeast is a clear evidence of resurgence in the region's pace of development which remained neglected for decades.

VP Venkaiah Naidu. File pic/AFP

China routinely objects to Indian leaders' visits to Arunachal Pradesh to buttress its stand.

"We urge the Indian side to earnestly respect China's major concerns, stop taking any action that would complicate and expand the boundary issue and refrain from undermining mutual trust and bilateral relations," Zhao said. "It should instead take real concrete actions to maintain peace and stability in the China-India border areas and help bring the bilateral relations back on to the track of sound and steady development," he added.

The Indian government strongly rejected China's objection, stating that the state is an "integral and inalienable" part of India.

Ministry of External Affairs's Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "We have noted the comments made today by the Chinese official spokesperson. We reject such comments. Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India."

"Indian leaders routinely travel to the state of Arunachal Pradesh as they do to any other state of India. Objecting to the visit of Indian leaders to a state of India does not stand to reason and understanding of Indian people," Bagchi said.

The fresh war of words between the two sides came three days after the 13th round of military talks on the 17-month eastern Ladakh standoff ended in a stalemate.
Agencies

Oct 9
Day VP Venkaiah Naidu visited Arunachal Pradesh and addressed a special session of state assembly

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