America supported India and gave a stern warning to China, had made this claim
Washington: America has strongly criticized China’s move and said that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India. The US said it recognizes Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and strongly opposes any attempts by China to assert territorial claims along the Line of Actual Control. This statement from America has come a few days after the Chinese Army reiterated its claim on the state regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Arunachal. Earlier this week, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang had said that the southern part of Jijang (China’s name for Tibet) is an inherent part of China’s territory. China, which calls Arunachal Pradesh South Tibet, has been opposing the visits of Indian leaders to this state. Beijing has also named this area Jangnan. On March 9, Prime Minister Modi had dedicated to the nation the Sela Tunnel built at an altitude of 13,000 feet in Arunachal Pradesh. This tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity to strategically located Tawang and can also help in better movement of troops in the border areas. US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said in his daily press conference on Wednesday, “The United States recognizes Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and we do not oppose territorial claims through military or civilian incursions or transgressions along the Line of Actual Control.” India has repeatedly rejected China’s territorial claims on Arunachal Pradesh and said the state is an integral part of the country. India has also rejected Beijing’s move to give the area a ‘contrived’ name, saying it will not change the reality. Also Read – Caution: Water crisis warning! The Indian External Affairs Ministry on Tuesday said it has taken cognizance of recent statements by the Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson making “absurd claims” on the territory of Arunachal Pradesh. The Ministry of External Affairs said that Arunachal Pradesh was, is and will always be an integral and inseparable part of India.
