In a strong rebuttal to China’s persistent claims over Arunachal Pradesh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar termed them as “ludicrous,” reaffirming that the state is an integral part of India. Speaking at the NUS Institute of South Asian Studies, Jaishankar emphasized the longstanding nature of the dispute, criticizing China’s expanded territorial claims. He highlighted the absurdity of such assertions and stated that Arunachal Pradesh’s status as a natural part of India would remain unchanged, also noting that these issues are part of ongoing boundary discussions between the two nations.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had earlier dismissed the Chinese defence ministry’s claims, stating that repeating baseless arguments does not legitimize them. The MEA’s statement underscored that Arunachal Pradesh has always been and will continue to be an inalienable part of India, benefiting from development programs and infrastructure projects. This stance was reiterated in response to China’s objection to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state, asserting that Indian leaders, like in other states, routinely visit Arunachal Pradesh.
The government firmly stated that objections to such visits or developmental activities are unreasonable and will not alter the fact that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India. The Chinese side has been consistently informed of India’s position regarding the state’s status. Jaishankar’s comments and the MEA’s statements reflect India’s steadfast position in the face of China’s territorial claims, underscoring the country’s commitment to its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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