China Makes Absurd Claim Over Indian State of Arunachal Pradesh Again

Beijing: Despite facing pushback from New Delhi over its “absurd” claims over Indian territory, China, on Monday, once again reiterated its claims over state of Arunachal Presh. On Saturday, while responding to a question about China's claims over Arunachal Presh at Institute of South Asian Studies of National University of Singapore, External Affairs Minister S Jaishanakar said, "This is not a new issue. I mean China has laid claim, it has expanded its claim. claims are ludicrous to begin with and remain ludicrous today."

“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 boundary discussions which are taking place,” he ded. 

On Monday, during a routine press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian reacted to EAM Jaishankar's comments, claiming that border between India and China has never been settled. 

Zangnan (China's name for Arunachal Presh), Lin claimed, was always a part of China before it was “illegally occupied” by India. 

China has all along h an effective ministration over region, he said.

Claiming that it is an “indisputable fact”, he said India established “so-called Arunachal Presh” in 1987 on illegally occupied territory.

“We have issued strong statements against ir actions and stressed ir action is ineffective and this position of China has not been changed”, Lin said.

This is fourth time this month China spoke about its claim over Arunachal Presh.

Beijing said it has lodged a diplomatic protest with India over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Arunachal Presh on March 9 reiterating its claim over area.

China, which claims Arunachal Presh as South Tibet, routinely objects to Indian leers' visits to state to highlight its claims. 

With inputs from PTI.