India on Saturday strongly reiterated its claims on Arunachal Pradesh, after China objected to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the frontier state. The Ministry of External Affairs said that the Chinese side was aware of India’s sensibilities regarding the issue.
“The State of Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India. Indian leaders visit Arunachal Pradesh from time to time, just as they visit other parts of India,” the MEA said in response to Beijing’s objection.
In Arunachal Pradesh, Mr. Modi laid the foundation stone for the Sela Tunnel Project which once completed will create a short cut below the formidable Sela Pass which is the gateway to Tawang. By avoiding the 13,700 feet high Sela Pass, the tunnel will create an all weather connectivity between Tawang and the rest of India.
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China had objected to Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the state saying that Beijing “firmly” opposed the trip. A Spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry had said that China does not recognise the state. Mr Modi visited the state as part of the pre-election campaign.
“China urges the Indian side to ...respect China's interests and concerns, cherish the momentum of improving relations between the two countries, and refrain from any actions that intensify disputes and complicate the border issue," the Foreign Ministry in Beijing said in a statement.
Chinese and Indian leaders met in Wuhan last year to resolve the differences that came up during the 2017 Doklam crisis where forces of both sides were involved in a face-off in a trijunction of India-Bhutan and Tibet.
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