arunachal-pradesh-is-indian-territory-says-us-days-after-china-s-claim

A senior Biden administration official reaffirmed the United States' recognition of Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and strongly condemned any unilateral attempts by China to assert its territorial claims beyond the Line of Actual Control.

The remarks come in response to recent assertions by the Chinese military asserting its claim over the region following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit.

Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang reiterated China's stance, declaring the southern part of Xizang (Tibet) as an integral part of China's territory. He emphasized Beijing's opposition to what it terms the "so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established by India."

China has persistently objected to Indian leaders' visits to the area, which it claims as South Tibet, going as far as naming it Zangnan.

Prime Minister Modi's dedication of the Sela Tunnel, situated at an altitude of 13,000 feet in Arunachal Pradesh, earlier this month, further heightened tensions. The tunnel aims to provide all-weather connectivity to strategically important Tawang and facilitate smoother troop movements along the frontier.

State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel, speaking at a daily press briefing, reiterated the U.S. position, stating, "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."

India has consistently rejected China's assertions over Arunachal Pradesh, emphasizing its integral status within the country. New Delhi has also dismissed Beijing's efforts to assign "invented" names to the region, emphasizing that such actions do not alter the ground reality.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs responded to the latest remarks from the Chinese Defence Ministry, labeling them as "absurd claims" and reiterating that Arunachal Pradesh "was, is and will always be" an integral and inalienable part of India.