Headlines
China objects to Modi's visit to 'disputed' Arunachal Pradesh
Itanagar/Beijing, Feb 21
As Prime Minister
Narendra Modi visited Arunachal Pradesh, China reiterated its stance on
the northeastern Indian state, saying it has never recognised Arunchal
Pradesh and is "opposed" to the prime minister's activities in the
"disputed area".
The Chinese position comes as both countries are preparing for Modi's visit to Beijing in May this year.
Chinese
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying Friday 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 tiesa.
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".
The
Chinese side is opposed to Indian leaders' activities in the disputed
area, and has lodged solemn representations with the Indian side. What
the Indian side has done runs counter to the efforts by the two sides to
properly resolve and manage disputes and the overall interests of
bilateral relations.
We urge the Indian side to take China's
solemn concerns seriously, meet the Chinese side halfway and commit
itself to fairly and properly resolving the bilateral boundary question
through negotiation.
Pending the 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,"
Hua said.
Modi Friday flagged off the first express train from Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh to New Delhi.
Modi,
who arrived in Arunachal Pradesh capital Itanagar to participate in the
state's 29th foundation day, flagged off the Naharlagun-New Delhi
Express by pressing a button at a function held in Indira Gandhi Park in
Itanagar.
The prime minister hoped the boost in communication
through the railway would propel growth and development in Arunachal
Pradesh and other parts of the northeast.
Modi, who was
accompanied by Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, Minister of State
for Railways Manoj Sinha and Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju,
also inaugurated an inter-city train between Naharlagun and Guwahati and
laid the foundation stone of 132 KV power transmission project and
another project to avail pure drinking water for the residents of
capital town.
President Pranab Mukherjee's visit to the state
last year had drawn sharp reactions from China, which has often laid
claim to the state.