MEA Denounces China's "Absurd" Claims on Arunachal Pradesh

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated on Tuesday that the Chinese defense ministry's claims about India's northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh are unfounded. They emphasized that Arunachal Pradesh has always been and will always remain an integral part of India.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that repeating baseless arguments doesn't make them true. Arunachal Pradesh belongs to India, and its people will continue benefiting from India's development projects and infrastructure.

The Chinese military has been insisting on its claim over Arunachal Pradesh, calling it a part of China's territory. This claim was made shortly after India rejected objections from Beijing regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state.

Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the Chinese Defense Ministry, stated that the southern part of Tibet, known as Xizang in Chinese, belongs to China. He also mentioned that China does not recognize Arunachal Pradesh, which they refer to as "so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established by India."

Zhang's statement came after India enhanced its military readiness in Arunachal Pradesh through the construction of the Sela Tunnel, according to a report from the Chinese Defense Ministry.

China often opposes visits by Indian leaders to Arunachal Pradesh, claiming it as part of South Tibet and referring to it as Zangnan. However, India has consistently rejected these claims, maintaining that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India.

New Delhi has also dismissed China's attempts to rename the area, stating that such actions do not change the reality of Arunachal Pradesh's status as an integral part of India.

In summary, India firmly rejects China's claims over Arunachal Pradesh. The Ministry of External Affairs reaffirmed that Arunachal Pradesh is and will always be an integral part of India, dismissing China's assertions as baseless.