New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reiterated India’s steadfast stance on Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that China’s repeated claims will not alter the region’s integral and inalienable status within India.
Addressing the media during his weekly briefing on Thursday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reaffirmed India’s position on Arunachal Pradesh, emphasizing that it remains an integral part of the country despite China’s baseless assertions.
“China may repeat its baseless claims as many times as it wants… that is not going to change our position. Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will remain an integral and inalienable part of India,” stated Jaiswal in response to China’s persistent claims.
The ongoing exchange of barbs between India and China over Arunachal Pradesh escalated after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the state to inaugurate the strategically significant Sela tunnel.
China has repeatedly asserted its claims over Zangnan, the Chinese term for Arunachal Pradesh. However, India has consistently rejected these claims, terming them as “ludicrous and absurd.”
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, during his recent tour of Southeast Asia, criticized China for failing to uphold longstanding agreements with India.
The reaffirmation of India’s stance on Arunachal Pradesh comes in the wake of the 29th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs in Beijing, aimed at addressing remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector of the border areas.
Meanwhile, in response to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s remarks regarding the killing of Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia last year, Jaiswal stated that India is prepared to investigate any specific and concrete information provided.
“We remain ready to investigate any specific and concrete information if it is shared with us,” remarked Jaiswal, reiterating India’s willingness to cooperate on the matter. However, he emphasized that India is yet to receive any such information.
Trudeau’s comments have sparked renewed interest in the issue, with the Canadian Prime Minister emphasizing the seriousness of a Canadian national being killed on Canadian soil. He reiterated Canada’s commitment to work constructively with the Indian government to address the matter.
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