A US official has affirmed Washington's recognition of Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory, following statements from the Chinese military asserting the northeastern state as part of China's territory. The US strongly opposes any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims, including incursions or encroachments across the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the official emphasized.
Principal Deputy Spokesperson of the US State Department Vedant Patel stated during a daily press conference that "The United States recognizes Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory, and we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions or encroachments, military or civilian, across the Line of Actual Control."
The US official's remarks came in response to recent statements from Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, who rejected the legitimacy of Arunachal Pradesh as a part of India, referring to it as "Zangnan."
In reaction, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed China's claim as "absurd" and reaffirmed Arunachal Pradesh's integral and inalienable status within India.
This exchange follows China's protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Arunachal Pradesh earlier in the month, during which he inaugurated the Sela tunnel. The tunnel, constructed for Rs 825 crore, aims to enhance all-weather connectivity to Tawang and facilitate better movement of troops and resources along the LAC.
China reiterated its stance, stating that it "never recognized the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally set up by India and firmly opposes it."
