India rejects China's objection to Vice-President's Arunachal Pradesh visit

 

"Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India. Indian leaders routinely travel to the state of Arunachal Pradesh as they do to any other state of India. Objecting to the visit of Indian leaders to a state of India does not stand to reason and understanding of the Indian people," he said.

On Saturday, October 9, Naidu paid a visit to Arunachal Pradesh and addressed a special session of the state assembly. Following which China released a statement opposing Venkaiah Naidu’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh saying it is a part of South Tibet. It also added that “China doesn’t recognize the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally set by India.”

 

 

"China doesn't recognise the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally set by India and firmly opposes the recent visit of India's Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu to the area," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said.

 

The fresh war of words between the two sides came three days after the 13th round of military talks on the 17-month eastern Ladakh standoff ended in a stalemate. This is not the first time that China has protested the visit of a dignitary to the state to which they lay claim. In the past, protests were lodged against many such visits, particularly, when His Holiness the Dalai Lama used to travel to the state.