India has firmly rebuffed China’s objections to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, where he inaugurated the strategically significant Sela tunnel last week. The tunnel, situated at an altitude of 13,000 feet, is touted as the world’s longest bi-lane tunnel at such an elevation and is expected to enhance all-weather connectivity to the strategically vital Tawang region.
China, which claims Arunachal Pradesh as “South Tibet,” lodged a diplomatic protest with India over Modi’s visit, contending that it would complicate the unresolved boundary issue. Responding to China’s remarks, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Randhir Jaiswal, emphasized India’s firm stance on the matter. He stated, “Objecting to such visits or India’s developmental projects does not stand to reason. Further, it will not change the reality that the State of Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India.”
PM Modi’s visit and the inauguration of the Sela tunnel underline India’s commitment to bolstering infrastructure and connectivity in the region, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. The tunnel, constructed at a cost of ₹825 crore, is expected to facilitate smoother movement of troops and weaponry, crucial for bolstering security in the frontier areas.
China’s persistent objections to Indian leaders’ visits to Arunachal Pradesh have been met with consistent rejection from India, which maintains that the state is an integral part of the country. India has also disregarded China’s attempts to rename the region, asserting that such actions do not alter the ground reality.
In response to China’s protest, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, reiterated China’s stance on the territorial dispute, asserting that Arunachal Pradesh is Chinese territory. He emphasized that China has never recognized the region as “Arunachal Pradesh” and vehemently opposes India’s development activities in the area.
