India has staunchly dismissed China's recent utterances on Arunachal Pradesh, insisting that the state was, is, and ever remains an inseparable and integral part of India. This forthright message was made after Beijing reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh is Chinese territory, something which India labelled totally baseless and unacceptable.
During a formal press conference, India's Ministry of External Affairs declared, "We reject firmly China's claims over Arunachal Pradesh. The state is a significant and proud region of India. Its citizens are Indian citizens and are part of our democratic process just like any other Indian state."
China had protested after top Indian leaders had traveled to Arunachal Pradesh for official functions and to inspect development projects in the state. China alleged these trips were against its so-called "territorial sovereignty." In response, India asserted that Indian leaders have every right to travel to any region of the country, including Arunachal Pradesh, since it is well within India's sovereign territory.
India also reminded China that Arunachal Pradesh is a state with its own government, elected members, and a complete democratic setup. It has experienced fast development in the last few years, with improvement in roads, healthcare, education, and infrastructure. The government is making every effort to better the lives of people residing in the border and remote areas of the state.
This is not the first time China has attempted to make such assertions. India has always reacted strongly to these repeated efforts to challenge its sovereignty. India has continued to construct robust roads, bridges, and other infrastructure in the area, which not only benefits the local people but also enhances national security.
The India-China relationship has been strained, particularly after the Ladakh military standoff in 2020. Ever since, the two nations have been under dialogue, but trust levels are low. Still, India has remained firm that borders cannot be altered on the basis of lies or coercion.
In reinforcing its position regarding Arunachal Pradesh, India again emphatically reiterates that its territorial integrity cannot be questioned and that any other country has no right to decide on terms as far as its internal issues are concerned.
