India tells China not to worry over PM Modi’s visit to Arunachal
21 Feb 2015
India today told China that it need not get excited about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Arunachal Pradesh and that it was China that was complicating the border dispute by making untenable demands on its neighbour.
Reacting to Beijing's remarks over the issue, minister of state for home, Kiren Rijiju said, Modi's visit to Arunachal or any other part of the country is an internal affair and no other country need to worry over it.
''Why should someone (China) have problem with PM visiting any part of his country? He'll definitely visit again.''
Rijju's comments came hours after China, reiterating its stance on the northeastern Indian state, said on Friday that it is "opposed" to the Indian leader's activities in the "disputed area".
Chinese foreign ministry had also stated that China never recognised Arunchal Pradesh.
Rijju said China's objections are untenable as it is equivalent to laying claim on India.
''There can be debate regarding 1 or 2 metres of land or border, but there can't be any debate regarding entire territory or state, Rijiju said.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said in Beijing that they have lodged ''solemn representations'' with the Indian side and that pending "settlement of the boundary question, the Indian side should avoid making any move that complicates the boundary question and maintain the good momentum of bilateral ties (See: China formally protests PM's visit to 'disputed' Arunachal). Hua made the remarks on Modi "attending activities in the disputed area of eastern part of China-India boundary".
"China holds a consistent and clear stance on the China-India boundary question. It is a fact known to all that there are substantial disputes over the eastern part of the China-India boundary, the Chinese government has never recognised the "Arunachal Pradesh".
