Jaishankar slams China, says its claims on Arunachal Pradesh ludicrous
Jaishankar's comments came days after the Ministry of External Affairs dismissed the Chinese defence ministry's assertions.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday (March 23) rejected China's repeated assertions regarding Arunachal Pradesh as "absurd" and affirmed that the border state is an 'integral' part of India.
In probably his first public comments on China's frequent claims on Arunachal Pradesh and its opposition to Indian leaders visiting the state, Jaishankar said it was not a new issue.
"This is not a new issue. I mean China has laid claim, it has expanded its claim. The claims are ludicrous to begin with and remain ludicrous today," he said in response to a question on the Arunachal issue after delivering a lecture at the prestigious NUS Institute of South Asian Studies here.
Speaking at @ISASNus Distinguished Lecture event on #WhyBharatMatters. https://t.co/v7K4TvWceX
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) March 23, 2024
He emphasised that Arunachal Pradesh was a "natural part of India." "So, I think we've been very clear, very consistent on this. And I think you know that is something which will be part of the boundary discussions which are taking place," he said.
Jaishankar's comments came days after the Ministry of External Affairs dismissed the Chinese defence ministry's assertions.
"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," the MEA said in a statement.
Earlier, the Chinese foreign ministry had objected to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh.
"We reject the comments made by the Chinese side regarding the visit of the Prime Minister to Arunachal Pradesh. Indian leaders visit Arunachal Pradesh from time to time, as they visit other States of India," the MEA said in a separate response last week.
(With agency inputs)
