New Delhi: The US government recognizes Arunachal Pradesh as a part of Indian territory, the US State Department said on Wednesday. It comes days after the Chinese military called Arunachal Pradesh “an inherent part of China’s territory.”.
The US government stated that it recognizes Arunachal Pradesh as a part of India’s territory and "strongly" opposes any "incursion or encroachments" along the Line of Actual Control on Wednesday.
"The United States recognizes Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursion or encroachments, military or civilian across the Line of Actual Control," it said.
This statement comes shortly after the Chinese military asserted that Arunachal Pradesh is "an integral part of China's territory.".
Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesman for the Chinese Defence Ministry, emphasised that the southern segment of Xizang, also known as Tibet in China, is an inherent part of the country's territory. He reaffirmed China's firm stance against the "so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established by India, official media outlets reported.
It announced on Monday that, in response to Prime Minister Modi's visit to Arunachal Pradesh last week, it had filed a diplomatic protest with India, claiming that "India's moves will only complicate the unresolved boundary question,"
Zhang’s remarks came following India’s enhancement of military readiness through the Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh, according to a report on the Chinese Defence Ministry’s website.
In response to the remarks, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday that Arunachal Pradesh "was, is an integral and inalienable part of India. will always be" an integral and inalienable part of India.