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Arunachal upset over China claim that it is disputed
 ITANAGAR — The Arunachal Pradesh state government yesterday reacted sharply to China's claims that the region was a 'disputed area', saying that it was erroneous and the state was an integral part of India. Chinese ambassador Sun Yuxi had Friday raked up a controversy ahead of the landmark visit by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao by saying that the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh was still 'a disputed area' between the two countries. | "What's ours is ours, now let's negotiate about what's yours." |
"China's claims and the statement made by its ambassador to India are erroneous to say the least. There is no dispute whatsoever and Arunachal Pradesh is very much an integral part of India," said Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Jarbom Gamlin. "We have lodged a formal protest with the Indian foreign ministry over the Chinese ambassador's statement," Gamlin said. "The people of Arunachal Pradesh do whatever is required to protect and preserve its territorial integrity," he added. | That worked well last time, but this time could be different ... |
Home Minister Shivraj Patil, who is visiting the border with China along Arunachal Pradesh yesterday, told journalists here: "I would not like to comment on the Chinese ambassador's statement." Beijing had in 2003 gave up its territorial claim over the Indian state of Sikkim, but was still holding on to its age-old stand that a vast stretch of Arunachal Pradesh belongs to them. | 'cause it belonged to China in the 11th Century or something. They have a memory for this sort of thing that rivals Islam ... |
The mountainous state of Arunachal Pradesh shares a 1,030km unfenced border with China. The Sino-India border along Arunachal Pradesh is separated by the McMahon Line, an imaginary border which is now known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC). India and China fought a bitter border war in 1962, with Chinese troops advancing deep into Arunachal Pradesh and inflicting heavy casualties on federal troops. | And someday they'll come for the rest. |
Posted by: Steve White 2005-04-06 |
