Days after India rejected China’s ‘absurd’ claim over Arunachal Pradesh, the US has now echoed their support for India’s stance, recognizing Arunachal Pradesh as an integral and inalienable part of India.
Addressing a weekly press briefing, State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel vehemently rejected any unilateral attempts by China to advance territorial claims across the Line of Actual Control while recognizing Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory.
Responding to a comment on the current development, Patel said, “The United States recognizes Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory, and we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions or encroachments, military or civilian, across the Line of Actual Control.”
It is pertinent to note that India and the US came down heavily on China after Beijing objected to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the northeastern state.
Earlier this week, Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang claimed that Zangnan (a name being recognized by the Chinese side for Arunachal Pradesh) is an “inherent part of China’s territory” and that Beijing “never acknowledges and firmly opposes” the “so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established by India”.
However, India has long since repeatedly dismissed China’s claims, asserting that Arunachal Pradesh “was, is, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India.”
“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. Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. Its people will continue to benefit from our development programmes and infrastructure projects.”
