External affairs minister S Jaishankar.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar dismissed China’s recurrent assertions regarding Arunachal Pradesh, labeling them as “ludicrous” and reiterating that the northeastern state is an inherent part of India. His remarks follow India’s recent dismissal of China’s claims as “absurd.”
Addressing the issue during a lecture at Singapore’s prestigious NUS Institute of South Asian Studies, Jaishankar emphasized the longstanding nature of China’s claims on Arunachal Pradesh. He stated, “This is not a new issue. I mean China has laid claim, it has expanded its claim. The claims are ludicrous to begin with and remain ludicrous today.”
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He further asserted, “So, I think we’ve been very clear, very consistent on this. And I think you know that is something which will be part of the boundary discussions which are taking place.”
China has persistently asserted its claim over Arunachal Pradesh, referring to it as South Tibet and designating the area as ‘Zangnan.’ Chinese objections have also been raised against Indian leaders’ visits to the state. Most recently, China objected to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh to inaugurate the Sela Tunnel.
Reacting to China’s repeated claims, India strongly refuted them, emphasizing that such assertions lack any factual basis. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “We have noted the comments made by the Spokesperson of the Chinese Defence Ministry advancing absurd claims over the territory of the Indian State of Arunachal Pradesh. Repeating baseless arguments in this regard does not lend such claims any validity.”
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Jaiswal continued, “Objecting to such visits or India’s developmental projects does not stand to reason. Further, it will not change the reality that the State of Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. The Chinese side has been made aware of this consistent position on several occasions.”
