World

China protests Modi's visit to disputed border region

Modi visited Arunachal Pradesh on Friday to inaugurate the opening of a train line and power station

Reuters February 21, 2015

In this photograph taken on October 21, 2012, an Indian Army soldier patrols at Bumla Pass on the India-China border in the eastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. PHOTO: AFP/FILE

SHANGHAI: China said on Friday it had lodged an official protest against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to a border region claimed by both countries.

China disputes the entire territory of the northeast Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, calling it south Tibet. Its historic town Tawang, a key site for Tibetan Buddhism, was briefly occupied by Chinese forces during a 1962 war.

"The Chinese government has never recognised the so-called 'Arunachal Pradesh'," a statement on the Chinese Foreign Ministry's website said on Friday.

It said Modi's visit was "not conducive to the overall development of bilateral relations".

Modi visited Arunachal Pradesh on Friday to inaugurate the opening of a train line and power station. He did not mention China but pledged billions of dollars of investment to develop infrastructure in the region.

"I assure you that you will witness more development in the state in the next five years than it has seen in the last 28 years," Modi said, addressing a huge crowd.

Faster transport links and exploitation of Arunachal Pradesh's hydro-electric potential are the keys to fighting poverty and bringing about rapid development in the frontier state, he said.

In January, China objected to statements by Japan's foreign ministry supporting India's claim to the region.

A visit by U.S. President Barack Obama to India in January was widely seen as a sign Modi is moving closer to the United States, to offset rising Chinese influence in Asia and, in particular, intensifying activity by the Chinese navy in the Indian Ocean.

COMMENTS (6)

sam ganguly | 9 years ago | Reply Modi has guts, and probably the only "leader" that India had in a long time. China can do all it's chest thumping but we have seen repeatedly in the past few years that, it's all limited to that. The border guards have managed to device a cool attitude and a very specific kind of aggressive mentality that even simple jawans think that they can confront the chinese and can drive them back to their tents.

devindersingh | 9 years ago | Reply HAHHAA, china shoukd shout with full power like a crazy man, but mr modi will visit again and again, modi also cleared railwayline for border, and broadband connectivity, modi also started direct train to delhi,

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

zara | 9 years ago | Reply “I assure you that you will witness more development in the state in the next five years than it has seen in the last 28 years" The gist of it. No development is last 28 years. Case of fact is ppl there are very oppressed.

John B | 9 years ago | Reply Arunachal pradesh has been under GoI, even after 1962 brief border clashes. Every PM of India visit that region and China does the usual rhetoric. Nothing is going to change and if any China is going to alienate her neighbors by this stance as she has already done so in south China sea.

Rex Minor | 9 years ago | Reply The lines are being drawn for the next conflict! Mr Modi is putting his stamp on the next crisis with Chna! Rex Minor

Last Word | 9 years ago | Reply This is not the first time that China is making protests on visit of PM or any other minister visiting Arunachal Pardesh which are totally ignored by India. China aggressive posturing at the line of control during its President's visit to India was equally countered by India which lead to an agreement between the two countries. Such rhetorics by China have backfired on it adversely as India entered into strategic partnership with USA leaving China high and dry. US tilt towards India will translate into loss of trade amounting to several billions by China besides loss of leadership in the region.

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